Bhopal, Oct 5 (NationPress) Following the heartbreaking deaths of 11 children linked to a harmful cough syrup in Madhya Pradesh, the state's Health Department has taken decisive action by suspending Praveen Soni, a paediatrician at Parasia Civil Hospital.

He is accused of prescribing this dangerous medication during his private practice.

The syrup in question, 'Coldrif', was discovered to contain toxic substances exceeding permissible limits, resulting in kidney failure and the tragic deaths of young patients.

The Health Department's suspension order cites Soni's serious negligence while treating children during his private practice.

Following an inquiry into the fatalities of several children under his care, the Health Department suspended Soni, who practiced at Civil Hospital, Parasia in the Chhindwara district.

The suspension order, issued by Health Commissioner Tarun Rathi on Sunday, highlights grave misconduct in Soni's private practice, where he allegedly prescribed 'harmful medication to infants suffering from cough and cold'.

Reports indicate that the children who ingested the syrup suffered from high fever and severe urination problems.

Sadly, many succumbed to kidney failure. The report emphasizes that Soni did not conduct adequate medical examinations or provide correct diagnoses.

If he had acted with due diligence and offered suitable treatment, the lives of these children might have been preserved. Instead, his negligence caused irreversible damage and eroded public trust in the healthcare system.

The investigation revealed that the medications prescribed by Soni contained toxic compounds that directly harmed the kidneys of the young patients.

Subsequent laboratory tests confirmed the presence of diethylene glycol (DEG), a hazardous industrial chemical commonly used in antifreeze and brake fluids, in concentrations ranging from 46.28% to 48.6% in the syrup.

The fatalities, which occurred over the past month, primarily affected children under five years old. The suspension order further states that Soni's actions have severely damaged the credibility of the Health Department and showcased his failure to fulfill his official responsibilities.

During the suspension period, he will be assigned to the office of the Regional Director of Health Services in Jabalpur and will receive a subsistence allowance as per departmental regulations. This situation unfolds amid ongoing legal actions against Soni and the manufacturer of the cough syrup, Shreesan Pharmaceuticals, located in Tamil Nadu.

Both parties have been named in a FIR lodged at Parasia police station, and a Special Investigation Team is examining the pharmaceutical company's involvement in the incident.

The case has ignited widespread outrage and renewed demands for stricter regulations on pediatric prescriptions and pharmaceutical manufacturing standards.

Authorities have committed to pursuing the investigation rigorously to ensure accountability and justice for the victims. The FIR against Soni and the Tamil Nadu-based manufacturer Sresan Pharmaceuticals was filed late Saturday night at Parasia police station.

During a late-night raid, Soni was arrested from Rajpal Chowk in the Kotwali police station jurisdiction by a special team led by Superintendent of Police Ajay Pandey.

The SP confirmed that Soni had treated the most affected children and was apprehended based on the Block Medical Officer's report.

The case has been registered under sections 105 and 276 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and section 27(A) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

The deaths, primarily occurring in the Parasia region, have raised serious concerns.

Initial reports suggested the children died from severe cough and cold symptoms. However, a detailed investigation by the Block Medical Officer revealed that the 'Coldrif' syrup contained a toxic compound that led to kidney failure.

Based on this finding, legal proceedings were initiated, and further investigation into the prescriptions and supply chain is ongoing.