Following reports of child deaths linked to substandard cough syrups in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Sunday convened a high-level virtual meeting with health secretaries from all states and union territories. The meeting was chaired by Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, who called for urgent action to protect public health.

Srivastava commended Rajasthan’s prompt response, which included enhanced surveillance, public advisories and technical investigations. As part of its preventive measures, Rajasthan has mandated special warning labels on cough syrups that may pose risks to vulnerable groups. Madhya Pradesh has reported 16 child deaths, 14 in Chhindwara and 2 in Betul, while Rajasthan has confirmed two fatalities, one each

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