New Delhi : Three children have died after intake of medicines prescribed by Mohalla Clinic run by Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi, according to report from Directorate of General health. Responding to the news, the Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain ordered emergency probe into the incident and the government terminated three doctors at the clinic.
The children were prescribed dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant. According to officials, sixteen children of ages 1 – 6 years treated by Mohalla Clinic were admitted for dextromethorphan poisoning into Centre-run Kalavati Hosp[tal in the capital between 19 June and 21 November. The hospital administration had reported the cases to Union Health ministry as early as in July. The ministry initiated an inquiry into the matter October-end in which, the Directorate of Health functioning under it submitted report on drug poisoning as cause of the two deaths.
On 7 December, the Directorate of Health instructed the Delhi government to block prescription of dextromethorphan to children below 4 years and to also take the drug off the clinic’s pharmacy.
Meanwhile Opposition parties have raised outcry demanding that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Health Minister Satyendra Jain own up responsibility for the deaths and resign their posts.
