3 children died by consuming cough syrup prescribed by Delhi Clinic Doctors

Delhi Health Minister urges to set an inquiry and punish the responsible

New Delhi: 3 children lost their lives due to drug poisoning after consuming a cough suppressant allegedly prescribed by Mohalla clinic doctors. They died at Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital in Delhi, the public is targeting the Delhi Govt. to terminate the services of three doctors and order an inquiry into the matter.

According to the sources, BJP and Congress demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Health Minister Satyendar Jain over the incident and compensation for the families of the three children.

Taking notes from the deadly incident, the officials said the Centre-run Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital reported 16 cases of dextromethorphan poisoning among children aged between one and six from June 29 to November 21.

In a report by PTI, a senior doctor of the hospital spoke up about the tragedy, "Most of the children complained of respiratory depression. The three children who died had come in a bad shape."

The Delhi Health Minister Jain said, "the city government has terminated the services of three doctors over the deaths of children. An inquiry has been ordered into the incident and the guilty won't be spared."

The minister added, "Three children died at the Kalawati Saran Hospital due to an adverse drug reaction a few days ago. As soon as we got to know about it, we terminated the services of three doctors and ordered an inquiry. We have also complained about the incident to the Delhi Medical Council."

According to the Delhi Govt. Officials, the Kejriwal Govt. has set up a four-member inquiry committee on Monday. Chief District Medical Officer (Southeast Delhi) Dr Geeta will head the panel that has been asked to submit a report in seven days, according to an order.

Dextromethorphan is one of the most widely used cough suppressants. However, it is subject to abuse. The consumption of high doses of the drug can lead to insomnia, dilated pupils, dizziness, nausea, restlessness, dizziness, shallow breathing and diarrhoea, etc.

On December 7, Dr Sunil Kumar of the Directorate General Health Services, under the Union health ministry, wrote to the Delhi government asking it to stop doctors at dispensaries and Mohalla clinics from prescribing dextromethorphan for children aged below 4. Dr Kumar also suggested the city government withdraw the drug manufactured by Omega Pharma in the larger public interest.