Death toll in cough syrup case rises to 17 in MP; Cong accuses Health Minister of ‘deliberately’ downplaying crisis

Another kid has died of kidney failure in Madhya Pradesh due to suspected consumption of the now-banned toxic cough syrup ‘Coldrif’, taking the death toll in the state to 17.

Meanwhile, the Opposition Congress has questioned whether a bulldozer would be sent to demolish the house of MP Health Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla?

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The latest fatality was of one-and-a-half-year-old girl, Dhani Deharia, the daughter of Naveen Deharia from Chhindwara, while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Nagpur, Maharashtra on Monday night. Her condition had worsened rapidly due to complete kidney failure.

According to sources, prior to being shifted to Nagpur, Dhani was also treated in Parasia, Chhindwara, by privately-practicing government physician, Dr Praveen Soni, who has since been arrested by the police, and suspended by the MP Health Department.

With this latest death, the total number of child casualties in Chhindwara district has risen to 15, while the statewide death toll from contaminated syrup has reached 17.

Dhani was admitted to Nagpur Medical College Hospital on September 26, after her condition worsened due to suspected toxicity.

On Tuesday, the Opposition Congress of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan held a joint press conference at the Delhi Congress Headquarters.

MP Assembly Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar and his Rajasthan counterpart Tika Ram Jully questioned the roles of the respective state governments and alleged their gross negligence in the matter.

Singhar targeted MP Health Minister Rajendra Shukla for deliberately downplaying the crisis.

“Four days ago, he (Rajendra Shukla) claimed that no deaths were linked to the syrup and gave a clean chit to the Tamil Nadu company. The same company’s syrup was eventually proven to be toxic”, Singhar stated.

“Will the government send bulldozers to the Health Minister’s house for negligence? Who will be held accountable for these deaths?” Singhar questioned.

“What is the relationship between the MP Health Minister and the Tamil Nadu company? Why has Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav remained silent on this issue?,” he further asked.

Calling for a judicial inquiry, he suggested compensation be provided to families. “This is a case of corruption and commission. The lives of newborns are being risked. Families whose children died should be provided government jobs as compensation.”

Congress MLA from Parasia, Sohan Lal Valmiki also criticized the MP state government.

“The government demolishes houses in minor cases, but in these child deaths, no action has been taken. The Deputy Chief Minister is responsible,” he charged.

Valmiki added that six children from his constituency are currently admitted in Nagpur, four of whom are on ventilators. “Their condition is critical, and further tragedies are imminent,” he said.