Diabetes drug mix-up after vaccination puts 5 Gujarat kids in ICU, worker suspended

Five children were hospitalised in Surat district after they were mistakenly given a diabetes medication instead of paracetamol following a routine vaccination drive, prompting the health department to suspend a female health worker and launch a departmental inquiry.

The incident occurred on September 23 during a 'Mamta Diwas' immunisation programme at the Palsana-01 sub-centre under the Kanav Primary Health Centre in Palsana taluka. A total of seven children were vaccinated during the programme.

According to health officials, five children were accidentally administered Glimepiride 2 mg, a medicine used to treat diabetes, instead of Paracetamol Kid tablets, which are routinely given to children after vaccination to manage fever and discomfort.

The medication error triggered serious adverse reactions in the children, leading to a rapid deterioration in their condition. All five were admitted to ICU/PICU facilities on September 24 after their health became critical.

Following the incident, the Surat district health authorities initiated disciplinary proceedings against Induben Ratilal Chaudhary, a Class-3 Female Health Worker, who allegedly handed out the wrong medicine. Surat's Chief District Health Officer issued suspension orders against her with immediate effect.

During the suspension period, her headquarters has been designated at the Dangarapada Primary Health Centre in Umarpada taluka. The order also bars her from taking up any private employment or business and requires her to submit a monthly certificate before the concerned Taluka Health Officer to receive suspension allowance.

Gujarat Health Minister Prafull Pansheriya described the incident as a case of "serious negligence" by the vaccination team.

He said the affected children included infants aged around 3.5 months and one year. The minister added that the children received immediate medical treatment and are now stable.

"After vaccination, children are usually given paracetamol to manage fever. Due to a grave lapse, a diabetes medicine was administered instead, which led to their hospitalisation," Pansheriya said.

He confirmed that the health worker involved has been suspended and that officials have been directed to conduct a detailed probe. Further action will be taken after the investigation report is submitted, he said.

Health authorities said departmental proceedings are underway and a final decision will be taken in accordance with government rules.