Sterilization camp organized by the Chhattisgarh government in Bilaspur district earlier this month turned into a nightmare for the women who had come forward for family planning. As many as 13 women lost their lives, while another 122 became seriously ill after the surgeries, leading to a furor across the country. After investigations, it has been revealed that the medications prescribed by the doctors to these unfortunate women contained deadly zinc phosphide, a chemical used for poisoning of rats. Now a senior minister in Raman Singh ministry has acknowledged the presence of this chemical in the medicine that was administered to these women.
The drugs were layered with zinc phosphide and also contained other toxic minerals
The tubectomy camp was organized by the government health department in Gaurella and Pendari villages of Bilaspur. Doctors performing the surgeries administered Ciproxin 500 tablets and injections to these women. In a laboratory test that was conducted in New Delhi a few days after the incident confirmed that this medication was laced with zinc phosphide. There were even traces of other toxic minerals found in these drugs when samples were tested in different labs in Kolkata, New Delhi, and Nagpur. It was also observed that these drugs contained only 300mg of Ciprofloxacin instead of the 500mg dose that was prescribed.
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Companies supplying spurious drugs have been sealed and their promoters sent to jail
These lab findings are a big blow to the pharmaceutical companies that were contracted to supply medications to government hospitals. Rakesh Khare, the promoter of Kavita Pharma that supplied these medications, is already in jail. Ramesh and Sumit Mahawar, the promoters of Mahawar Pharmaceuticals, have also been arrested and sent to jail by the Chhatisgarh government. Government has stopped supply of drugs made by these two companies to government hospitals with immediate effect.
Incidentally, Dr R K Gupta, who performed all these operations on the unfortunate women, has also been arrested and charged with deaths because of negligence. Even though government has taken swift action against the offenders, Congress is not satisfied with the manner in which government has jhandled this major incident. The party has given a call for a padyatra across the state to demand resignation of the health minister in Raman Singh government.
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Health Minister promises stringent action against all involved in this case
Dr Amar Agarwal, the health minister, confirming the presence of rat poison in the drugs administered to the women during the sterilization camp, said, “The drug report confirms the presence of poisonous substances, which also includes zinc phosphide. We have handed over the report to the police and they have to investigate now,” He conceded that there was laxity on the part of the government in keeping a tight control over drug companies to manufacture drugs of the highest quality as per FDA regulations. “It is shocking to find the presence of poisonous substances in our medicines. It is a challenge for the country,”said Dr Agarwal.
The health minister added that government would not spare anyone involved in this case. He assured people that further action would be taken against these people after judicial inquiry is over and its results are known.
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About Sanjay Tandon
Sanjay Tandon is a graduate engineer from IIT Varanasi. He has been writing as a freelancer for many years. He loves to write on various niches. He is passionate about politics and economy and spends his free time watching news channels. He is also an expert on relationships.
