Use of animal vaccine in Bhopal hospital proved, 2 suspended

Bhopal, June 19 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh Government today suspended two health officials and blacklisted one company after it was proved that animal vaccine 'catamin' was used on 31 patients.

''Catamin vaccine is used as an anaesthetic. The vaccine is used both on animals and human beings although in different quantities,'' State Health Minister Ajay Vishnoi told UNI here.

For instance, children and adults are provided half mm and one mm of the vaccine respectively, while animals are given four mm.

He said Indore-based Nandini Medical Laboratory Private Limited had provided 199 vials to the hospital, which used 31 vials. The company has been blacklisted and all the orders placed it cancelled.

Mr Vishnoi claimed no adverse effect took place on the patients.

Earlier in the day, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, accompanied by Mr Vishnoi, carried out a surprise inspection of the Hamidia hospital, attached to the Government Medical College in the state capital.

Mr Vishnoi said the government suspended store incharge and store keeper with immediate effect for negligence in connection with providing wrong injection to patient.

Besides, the government also directed disciplinary action against Sister Usha Siddarth, incharge of anesthesia, injection and medicines, for not maintaining proper details of injections.

Ms Siddarth did not bother to be check whether the vaccine, which is meant for animals was also used on humans.

The Minister said a doctor, J L Badhwani, was suspended for discharging a patient without treatment, while a health official, Mahesh Chouhan, was suspended for not conveying a patient to the concerned ward.

(Eds: Pick up suitably from earlier series) UNI PKJ-PS PA DB2248