The official said the children are fine now.
Highlight
- They were admitted to a hospital
- Three officials, including a doctor, have been suspended in Yavatmal.
- The National Polio Immunization Campaign 2021 was launched last week
Yavatmal (Maharashtra):
In a gross neglect case, 12 children received disinfectant instead of oral polio vaccine in a village in Maharashtra’s Yavatmal district, about 700 kilometers from the state capital, Mumbai, an official said Monday.
The affected children, all under the age of 5, were admitted to a government hospital, where their condition is said to be stable, the district official said, adding that three health workers will face action for the lapse.
The incident was reported Sunday at a primary care center in a town when the national pulse polio vaccination campaign began for children between 1 and 5 years of age, the official said.
Yavatmal Zilla Parishad CEO Shrikrishna Panchal said 12 children under the age of 5 received disinfectant instead of polio drops.
Subsequently, one of the children complained of vomiting and discomfort, he said.
All the children who received disinfectant drops were given polio drops and admitted to the Government Medical College in Yavatmal, Shrikrishna Panchal said.
Their condition is stable and they are under observation.
He said that according to preliminary information, three health workers, a doctor, Anganwadi Sevika and an ASHA volunteer were present at the PHC at the time of the incident.
“An investigation is underway and orders will be issued to suspend the three health workers,” Panchal said.
Meanwhile, another official said the incident came to light when the town sarpanch checked the drops and found that they were hand sanitizers and not doses of polio.
After the incident, parents in the area are fearful and have demanded action against those responsible for the shocking lapse, he said.
Yavatmal collector MD Singh visited the hospital and inquired about the children’s condition, the official said.
The incident took place on National Polio Vaccination Day, which is observed on January 31.
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