Cough syrup leads 23 deaths, civil-surgeon removed in Chhindwara:Drug Inspector briefed Deputy CM on lab lapses; Rahul Gandhi to visit Parasia

Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Rajendra Shukla chaired a review meeting with health and administrative officials at the Chhindwara Collectorate on Wednesday. During the meeting, drug inspectors pointed out major shortcomings in the state’s drug testing infrastructure, revealing that the government laboratory in Bhopal lacks advanced micro-level testing facilities and that drug sample analyses take considerable time due to outdated equipment and limited capacity. When Minister Shukla inquired whether these issues were specific to Chhindwara or Bhopal, a drug inspector clarified, “Sir, it’s Bhopal. Micro-level testing isn’t possible there, and analysis takes a long time.” Sources present at the meeting said that the minister promptly directed his staff to stop recording after the revelation, signaling concern over the lab’s limitations amid the ongoing health crisis. See pictures of the meeting… Toxic cough syrup death toll reaches 19 The disclosure comes amid an ongoing crisis in Chhindwara, where toxic cough syrup continues to claim lives.
On Tuesday, two more children, identified as 3-year-old Vedant Kakudiya and 2-year-old Jaiyusha Yaduvanshi, died while undergoing treatment in Nagpur. With these deaths, the total number of fatalities linked to the syrup in Madhya Pradesh has risen to 19. Health minister appeals to doctors amid strike Minister Shukla met with officials of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), who had announced an indefinite strike starting Wednesday. He urged doctors to reconsider striking during this emergency, emphasizing that such actions could affect public trust in the medical profession. IMA district president Dr. Alpana Shukla confirmed that the executive committee would decide the strike’s continuation after reviewing the minister’s request. Drug sellers raise concerns over administrative pressure The district drug sellers’ association also met the minister to report difficulties caused by administrative pressure not to sell certain cough syrups. Association president Santosh Chaure said, “We are unable to provide alternative syrups to patients with seasonal illnesses due to restrictions. Clear guidelines are needed.” Minister visits Nagpur hospitals to check on children On Tuesday night, Minister Shukla visited Nagpur to meet children hospitalized at GMC, AIIMS, and New Health City Hospital. He reassured families that the government would bear all treatment costs and emphasized that Chief Minister Mohan Yadav is personally monitoring the situation. Loss of two young children The recent fatalities include 3-year-old Vedant Kakudiya and 2-year-old Jaiyusha Yaduvanshi, who both died during treatment in Nagpur. These deaths have further raised concerns over the handling and testing of potentially toxic cough syrups in the state.