Amritsar: Parents of an 11-month-old child held a protest at a private hospital in Amritsar district on Wednesday after they found that an expired vaccine had been administered to their child. Medical staff, including doctors and nurses, admitted to the error, stating that they had not checked the expiry date before giving the injection.
The child lost consciousness immediately after receiving the vaccine. The doctor also admitted to the mistake, attributing it to a lapse by the staff. Health department officials also reached the hospital to investigate the matter. They seized the expired medications and assured the parents of the child that appropriate action would be taken. A police officer from the Chheharta police station confirmed that the health department team was conducting a thorough investigation.
The private hospital, reportedly specialising in paediatric care, witnessed a chaotic scene when the family brought in their child, Meharaj Kaur, an 11-month-old from Dhanoe village in Attari, due to some health condition. The child, suffering from a neurological issue, was given an expired injection, further worsening her condition. Upon discovering the expiry date, the family immediately stopped the administration, but the child had already been injected and was in a critical state.
The hospital authorities admitted their fault, confirming that an expired injection had been mistakenly administered. Health department officials, upon inspection, found several other expired medications on the premises. They confiscated the medicines and said the matter would be taken up with the higher authorities for further action.
The family of the child said had they not noticed the expired date, the situation could have been fatal. They demanded strict action against the hospital for their negligence, which they fear might have endangered other children as well.
An official from Chheharta police station Joginder Singh said the child’s parents, Jobanpreet Kaur and Harpreet Singh from Dhanoe village, had brought their daughter to the hospital for treatment of a neurological problem. The expired injection, dated May 24, led to the deterioration of the child’s condition. The authorities have begun a comprehensive investigation, and both the police and health department teams are ensuring that all necessary actions will be taken.
