The National Human Rights Commission has issued notice to Odisha government for payment of Rs. 10 lakh each to 36 children who were administered expired medicine in Kendrapara district. The incident took place in November 2014. ASHA workers gave Albendazole oral suspension past their expiry date at a deworming camp to about 100 children aged between one and 10 years at Behula village under Garadapur block. Thirty-six children complained of headache and pain in the abdomen. They also had suffered recurring bouts of vomiting. Akhand, a human rights activist who moved the NHRC, said the medicine administered to the children had expired in June 2014. The State Health and Family Welfare department that conducted an enquiry, however, tried debunk the claim that expired medicines were administered to the children. “The commission arrives at the conclusion that human rights of children have been violated and they are entitled to the monetary compensation or relief, which the State of Odisha is vicariously liable to pay for the acts of its employees,” said the NHRC in its order.
