14 Children Die After Consuming Toxic Cough Syrup in India
At least 14 children have died after consuming a contaminated cough syrup in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, sparking widespread anger and grief among families and authorities. The incident has raised concerns about the safety and regulation of pharmaceutical products in the country.
According to officials, the children consumed the tainted syrup at a government-run hospital in the town of Shajapur on October 2. "The syrup was found to be contaminated with ethylene glycol, which is a toxic substance," said Dr. Rakesh Kumar, a spokesperson for the Madhya Pradesh Health Department. "We are investigating how this happened and who is responsible."
Families of the victims have expressed outrage and sadness over the tragedy. "My child was just 5 years old and full of life," said Rohini Singh, whose daughter died after consuming the syrup. "I demand justice for my child and all those who lost their lives due to this negligence."
The incident has also raised questions about the regulation of pharmaceutical products in India. "This is a wake-up call for us to review our regulatory mechanisms and ensure that such incidents do not happen again," said Dr. Kumar.
Background checks revealed that the cough syrup was manufactured by a local company, which had been facing quality control issues in the past. The company has since issued a statement apologizing for the incident and promising to cooperate with the investigation.
The Madhya Pradesh government has announced an inquiry into the incident and promised to take strict action against those responsible. "We will leave no stone unturned to ensure that justice is delivered to the families of the victims," said Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
As the investigation continues, experts are warning about the dangers of contaminated pharmaceutical products. "This incident highlights the need for stricter regulations and quality control measures in the pharmaceutical industry," said Dr. Sanjay Kumar, a public health expert. "We must ensure that such incidents do not happen again."
The current status of the investigation is that officials are still trying to determine how the syrup was contaminated and who is responsible. The next developments will be closely watched by families, authorities, and experts alike.
Associated Press contributed to this report
*Reporting by Aljazeera.*
