Sixteen cases of Dextramethorphan poisoning were reported at Kalawati Saran Children Hospital out of which three children succumbed in the hospital. One child died on October 13 and the other two died in the same month.Thirteen others were hospitalised after falling ill.These children were prescribed Dextramethorphan drug by the Delhi Government-run mohalla clinics, despite the drug being strictly not recommended for paediatric-age children.
Health Minister, Satyendar Jain said that an enquiry has been ordered into the incident, which took place in October and the Delhi Government has also written to the Delhi Medical Council to investigate this. The government has also constituted an inquiry committee under CDMO.
Delhi Congress president Ch. Anil Kumar demanded a compensation of ₹1 crore to the families of the victims and ₹10 lakh relief to those who are under treatment.“The death of the three children has uncovered the mask of the Delhi Government and the incompetence of the mohalla clinic doctors. It is a matter of grave concern that mohalla clinics are managed by incapable doctors,” Mr. Kumar said.
Coincidentally, it is partly due to a cough ailment that Delhi Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal goes to the prestigious Jindal Nature Cure Institute in Bengaluru for 10 day-stays.
Delhi has several people suffering from chronic throat ailments, partly exacerbated by the seasonal stubble burning pollution.
