Ranchi (Jharkhand): Following the Central Government’s strict advisory, the Dhanbad Health Department has swung into action. The district has decided not to administer cough syrup to children below the age of two years. This decision comes after Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu imposed similar restrictions on pediatric cough syrups.
The Director General of Health Services (DGHS) recently issued new guidelines stating that the use of cough syrups in children under two years of age can pose serious health risks. Accordingly, doctors in Dhanbad have been cautioned not to prescribe cough syrups for children in this age group.
The move follows reports of adverse incidents linked to cough syrup use in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Although the Health Department has clarified that there is no cause for panic, officials emphasized that the step has been taken as a precautionary measure.
Dr. Rohit Gautam, District RCH Officer, said that detailed instructions will soon be circulated to all government and private practitioners in line with the Ministry of Health’s directives. He stated,
“Generally, cough in children below two years resolves on its own, and medication is often unnecessary. Doctors have been advised to allow natural recovery and avoid unnecessary drug use.”
According to the Health Department’s data, Dhanbad district has approximately 1.5 lakh (150,000) children aged between 0 and 2 years. These children are already under regular immunization and health monitoring programs, and the new directive prohibiting the use of cough syrups will now be implemented strictly and seriously.
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