Lessons from Chhindwara: Health governance needs accountability

By Raju Kumar

BHOPAL: The Chhindwara cough syrup tragedy has once again exposed the deep cracks in Madhya Pradesh’s health system—especially in the quality control and supply chain of medicines. Dozens of children lost their lives, and the investigation revealed that the cough syrup administered to them contained toxic diethylene glycol. The same chemical has been responsible for several international disasters in the past. The deaths of these children have raised serious questions about the accountability of not only local authorities but the state’s entire health department. The arrest of the manufacturer and the notice issued by the National Human Rights Commission are enough to show how fragile and ineffective the state’

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