**Madhya Pradesh Government Probes Deaths of 16 Children Linked to Coldrif Cough Syrup**
*Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh:* Following the tragic deaths of 16 children in Madhya Pradesh, allegedly after consuming Coldrif cough syrup, the state government has initiated an investigation to determine how the medicine entered the state.
Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Rajendra Shukla addressed the media on Tuesday, stating that the government will hold accountable those officials who failed to prevent the circulation of the syrup, which led to the fatalities. “Strict action will be taken, and no one will be spared,” he asserted.
In an effort to contain the situation, Shukla also announced that two more drugs have now been banned in the state. He informed that the Association of Pediatricians has been directed to instruct doctors to carefully check syrup labels. The label must clearly state that the syrup should not be given to children under four years of age. If any medicine lacks this warning, it should not be prescribed.
Further, all drug inspectors have been ordered to identify such syrups in medical stores and take necessary action to remove unsafe products from the market.
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**Medical Community Protests Arrest of Chhindwara Doctor**
A day after pediatrician Dr. Praveen Soni was arrested in connection to the deaths of the 16 children in Chhindwara, after he had prescribed the implicated cough syrup, the Progressive Medical Teachers Association (PMTA) held a protest demanding his release.
Dr. Soni was posted at the Civil Hospital, Parasia in Chhindwara before being suspended and sent to 14-day judicial custody on Monday.
PMTA President Dr. Rakesh Malviya has written to the Principal Secretary of Health, demanding action against officials including the drug controller and drug distributor, who are responsible for monitoring the quality of cough syrups sold in the market.
The PMTA has vowed to continue their agitation until Dr. Soni is released.
Similarly, representatives from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and other doctors protested outside the district hospital in Chhindwara by wearing black armbands, also demanding Dr. Soni’s release.
The IMA has warned that if their demands are not met, doctors from both government hospitals and private clinics across the state will begin an indefinite strike from Wednesday.
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*Reported by Staff Reporter*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/mp-cough-syrup-death-government-to-trace-how-coldrif-syrup-entered-state-two-more-drugs-banned-in-state-says-health-minister
