Five Bengal health workers suspended for negligence

Five health workers have been suspended for negligence in the wake of Hepatitis B vaccine being administered orally to over 100 children instead of pulse polio drops in West Bengal's Hooghly district Sep 15, a minister said Friday.

As many as 114 children of Khatul village under Arambagh sub-division in the district were erroneously given Hepatitis B vaccine in oral form instead of the required pulse polio dosage on Pulse Polio Day Sep 15.

"An investigation committee was formed after the incident ..following which five health workers have been suspended," Minister of State for Health Chandrima Bhattacharya told IANS.

The minister said that after the error was discovered, health officials went from door-to-door in the area to ensure that all the children were administered polio drops.

Protests were staged and roads leading to Arambagh were blocked following the incident.

"Some people are politicising the issue...I strongly condemn this...the government is extremely vigilant and there is no logic to the protests," said Bhattacharya.

More than 60 children were hospitalised, out of which around 20 were discharged the same day.

An inquiry has been ordered by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The children were hospitalised after a parent spotted the blunder and informed health officials.

According to B.R. Satpathi, director of health services, the mix up will not "in any way be detrimental" to the babies.