Teen dies after injection at Rajasthan medical store, locals vandalise premises

A 17-year-old girl died after her condition allegedly deteriorated following an injection administered by a medical store operator in Rajasthan's Bhilwara, triggering protests and violent scenes outside the establishment, where angry residents and family members reportedly attempted to vandalise the premises and set a fire.The incident has sparked demands for the immediate arrest of the operator, cancellation of the medical store's licence and strict legal action over the alleged medical negligence.The victim, identified as Prachi Mehta, was a resident of the Subhash Nagar area and had been suffering from fever for the past few days.According to her family, she was taken to Lav-Kush Medical Store in Ward No. 64 to obtain medicines. However, the operator, identified as Ramprasad, allegedly administered an injection instead of providing the required medication.Her condition reportedly began deteriorating soon after the injection. She complained of severe pain in her leg, while her family claimed that blood clotted around the affected area and a large lump developed. Despite efforts to seek medical assistance, her condition continued to worsen.According to her grandmother, Rupa Mehta, the injection was administered on November 11 at around 5:30 pm.When Prachi's pain intensified the following evening, she returned to the medical store, following which she was referred for further treatment. She was initially taken to a local hospital and subsequently shifted to Geetanjali Hospital in Udaipur, where she died during treatment."My granddaughter had a mild fever. She went to Lav-Kush Medical Store to get some medicine, but instead of providing pills, the operator administered an injection," Rupa said, alleging that her granddaughter developed severe complications afterwards.Demanding justice, she called for the immediate arrest of the accused, seizure and cancellation of his medical licence, and stringent legal action."I cannot bring my daughter back, but the guilty party must be punished so that no other family has to endure such a tragedy," she said.The incident triggered considerable anger among residents, who gathered outside the medical store and staged protests.Some reportedly attempted to break its shutter and set fire outside the premises. Police personnel from Subhash Nagar police station reached the spot and brought the situation under control.Ward 64 councillor Jagdish Gurjar alleged that the medical store had previously faced complaints of administering injections under questionable circumstances.Further action is expected after the medical findings and investigation establish the circumstances surrounding the teenager's death.PUNJAB MAN GIVEN WRONG INJECTION?The Bhilwara incident comes days after a similar case in Punjab's Ludhiana, where 27-year-old Rajesh Kumar died shortly after allegedly receiving an incorrect injection. His family alleged that his condition deteriorated within minutes of the injection.The incident triggered protests, while police took the accused doctor into custody and initiated an investigation.With two deaths reported in separate alleged injection-related medical negligence incidents within days, the investigations in both cases are expected to determine responsibility and whether established medical protocols were violated.- EndsInputs by Pramod Tiwari