12 Toddlers in Maharashtra Given Hand Sanitiser Instead of Polio Drops

MUMBAI: In a shocking incident, as many as 12 infants from the Yavatmal region in Maharashtra where given drops of hand sanitiser in place of polio drops.

According to reports, the incident took place at the Ghatanji Primary Health Centre in Yavatmal district during the pulse polio drive.

Meanwhile, all the affected kids are between the age groups of one and five and are currently undergoing treatment.

Notably, on January 31, the children in the gram panchayat area were administered polio dose as part of the national polio immunisation drive in which 12 kids were given drops of hand sanitiser in place of polio drops.

The kids who consumed hand sanitiser started vomiting and uneasiness late at night after which they were hospitalized.

The district collector had initiated an inquiry into the incident and the health officer, Anganwadi worker and Asha worker who were responsible for the drive have been suspended immediately.

"Based on the primary report, the Community Health Officer (CHO), one Anganwadi worker and one Asha worker have been suspended and the matter is being investigated thoroughly.

Once the inquiry is done, responsibilities will be fixed," Dr Shrikrishna Panchal, Chief Executive Officer of the Yavatmal Zilla Parishad said.

It is to be mentioned that on the eve of Polio National Immunization Day on Sunday (January 31), a three-day polio vaccination drive was launched.

The health ministry said that pulse polio immunization will be taken up on January 31, February 1 and 2. The programme, earlier scheduled to start from January 16, was rescheduled due to Covid-19 vaccination drive.

The polio immunization drive will be held in accordance with Covid-19 protocols - the parents and healthcare staff will be wearing masks, physical distancing will be followed and hands properly sanitised.

Earlier, India achieved the status of a polio-free country a decade ago; the last case was detected in Howrah on January 13, 2011.

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