NMC surveillance unit, Neeri, govt & pvt docs took lead to detect acute kidney failure cases

Nagpur: The prompt action by the Metropolitan Surveillance Unit (MSU), Nagpur, functioning under the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), led to the early detection and red-flagging of a cluster of acute kidney failure cases and child deaths in Chhindwara district , Madhya Pradesh . The MSU swiftly alerted the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), enabling timely intervention from the central govt.

The NMC health authorities were alerted by GMCH's paediatrics department led by Dr Manish Tiwari, AIIMS, and private hospital doctors. "Secretary, Medical Education (Maharashtra) informed that the children admitted to various medical institutions in Nagpur are being treated with the best possible health care," the central govt stated on Sunday.

The active participation and cooperation of MSU and National Environmental Engi neeri ng Research Institute (Neeri), Nagpur, provided crucial direction to the central govt in initiating coordinated remedial and regulatory measures. Neeri played a key role in testing environmental and drug samples, working alongside experts from NCDC, National Institute of Virology (NIV), and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).

A multidisciplinary central team of epidemiologists, microbiologists, entomologists and drug inspectors visited Chhindwara and Nagpur for detailed field investigations in coordination with Madhya Pradesh health authorities.

From late August, several critically-ill children were rushed to Nagpur, where they were admitted to GMCH, AIIMS and private hospitals. When initial tests ruled out infectious causes, Nagpur's health officials, along with govt and private doctors, began exploring other possibilities, eventually linking the cases to the use of a contaminated cough syrup.

Preliminary laboratory results ruled out common infectious diseases, except for one case of leptospirosis. Out of the 19 medicine samples collected, 10 were analysed so far — nine met prescribed standards while one cough syrup, ‘Coldrif,' contained diethylene glycol (DEG) beyond permissible limits.

In light of these findings, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare convened a high-level meeting on Sunday, chaired by Union health secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, with all states and Union Territories to review drug quality compliance and promote the rational use of cough syrups, especially in paediatric populations.

The meeting focused on ensuring compliance with Schedule M and other GSR quality norms in manufacturing, promoting safe paediatric use of cough syrups, and strengthening retail pharmacy regulations to prevent misuse of such formulations.

The matter was earlier reviewed by Union Health Minister JP Nadda, who directed that the states and UTs be sensitised and necessary actions taken promptly.