Outraged families at Jubarajnagar in Dharmanagar sub-division under the North Tripura District are demanding immediate accountability after expired pediatric medications were handed out during a routine community health drive at a local childcare facility.
Key Takeaways
- Expired medicines were allegedly distributed among the children at a South Jubarajnagar Anganwadi centre on September 5.
- Frontline workers, including an MPW, an ASHA worker, and an Anganwadi worker, were reportedly present during the distribution.
- Local parents have demanded a rigorous departmental investigation into the safety lapse.
Parents in South Jubarajnagar have raised serious concerns after alleging that expired medicines were distributed to children through an Anganwadi centre on September 5.
The incident has triggered anger among parents and residents in Ward No. 1 of South Jubarajnagar under Jubarajnagar Gram Panchayat.
The allegation has also raised questions about checks on medicines meant for young children. Residents have demanded an investigation into the matter and appropriate departmental action if negligence is established.
Parents Raise Alarm Over Medicine Expiry Dates
According to parents, they were called to the Anganwadi centre in South Jubarajnagar on September 5. Medicines intended for children were distributed during the process.
The parents later checked the expiry dates printed on the medicine bottles. They allegedly found that the medicines had already expired when they were distributed.
The discovery caused concern among families. Parents feared that children could face health risks if the medicines were consumed without checking their expiry dates.
The allegations have not been independently verified.
Health and Anganwadi Workers Allegedly Present
According to the parents, several frontline workers were present during the distribution.
They identified Manish Nath, a multi-purpose worker (MPW) from the Mangal Khali Sub-Centre. Local ASHA worker Kairun Nessa and Anganwadi worker Mampi Debnath were also allegedly present.
The presence of health and Anganwadi personnel has added to concerns over the distribution process. Residents are now seeking clarity on whether the medicines were checked before being handed over to families.
Warning Shared With Other Parents
The issue reportedly came to wider attention after one parent posted a warning in the Anganwadi centre’s official WhatsApp group.
The parent urged others not to give the medicines to their children. The warning specifically highlighted the alleged expiry of the medicines.
The message helped alert other parents about the issue. It also increased concern among families who had already received the medicines.
Parents have alleged that they did not receive an immediate response from the concerned MPW or Anganwadi worker after the issue was raised.
Residents Demand Investigation
The allegations have put the spotlight on medicine distribution practices at the local level.
Medicines supplied to children require careful handling and verification. Checking expiry dates is a basic safety step before distribution. The allegations have therefore raised questions about whether the medicines were properly inspected before being handed over.
Residents of South Jubarajnagar have demanded a formal inquiry. They want the authorities to determine how expired medicines allegedly reached the Anganwadi centre.
They have also sought departmental action against anyone found responsible for negligence.
Officials’ Response Awaited: Enewstime Desk perspective
As of the time of filing this report, the statements of the concerned health workers and Anganwadi personnel were not available.
It is also not clear whether the health department has ordered an inquiry into the allegation or collected the medicines for examination.
The matter is expected to draw further attention as parents seek clarification over the source of the medicines, their expiry dates and the process followed before distribution.
For now, the key issue remains whether expired medicines were actually distributed to children and, if so, how the lapse occurred. A formal investigation could establish the facts and determine responsibility.