Coldrif Tragedy Leaves Betul Farmer with Grief and Mounting Debt
For 58-year-old farmer Deva Yaduvanshi from Betul district in Madhya Pradesh, the aftermath of the Coldrif cough syrup tragedy has been a cruel double blow. Not only did he lose his four-year-old grandson Harsh Yaduvanshi on Sunday night, but he also inherited substantial debts from the child's prolonged medical treatment.
A Family's Financial Ruin Amid Medical Crisis
Harsh Yaduvanshi's death marks the third reported fatality from Betul district linked to the spurious cough syrup, which has emerged as one of India's deadliest pharmaceutical tragedies in recent years. The four-year-old had been battling complications for nearly four months after consuming the contaminated syrup, ultimately succumbing to kidney failure.
"I have to repay at least Rs 4.5 lakh that I borrowed from relatives during the treatment period," Deva Yaduvanshi told media, his voice heavy with both grief and financial worry. "Three members of my family had to take up temporary residence near the hospital for months. Food, lodging, daily expenses — none of that was covered by the state. Now my grandson is gone, and all I have left are the loans."
The Prolonged Medical Ordeal
The family's nightmare began on September 26, 2025, when Harsh was taken to a Parasia-based clinic for a mild cold and cough. Doctors prescribed multiple syrups, but within days, the child stopped passing urine. Despite repeated visits to medical facilities, his condition deteriorated rapidly.
Subsequent medical tests revealed 100% kidney failure, forcing the family to shuttle between hospitals in Betul, Nagpur, and Bhopal before Harsh was finally admitted to AIIMS. The grandfather, who was caring for the child as the father was recently released from jail on bail, described the financial strain:
- Daily expenses of nearly Rs 1,000 for basic living during hospitalization
- Multiple loans taken from relatives to cover treatment costs
- No government support for non-medical expenses despite state coverage of treatment
"I depend on farming, and had no option but to borrow. Now I have both grief and debt to deal with," Deva Yaduvanshi explained, highlighting how marginal farmers face particular vulnerability in medical emergencies.
Broader Pattern of Tragedy and Financial Devastation
The Coldrif tragedy has affected numerous families across Madhya Pradesh, with nearly 24 children from Chhindwara district having lost their lives earlier. Investigations revealed the syrup contained 48.6% diethylene glycol, a toxic industrial solvent known to cause kidney failure.
Official responses have included:
- Multiple arrests of medical professionals and pharmaceutical company representatives
- Suspension of drug inspectors and senior FDA officials
- Admission of regulatory lapses by the Madhya Pradesh government
- Ongoing SIT probe into the tragedy
Yet for affected families, these actions offer little solace. The case of five-year-old Kunal Yaduvanshi from Chhindwara illustrates the broader pattern: after 116 days in hospital, he returned home alive but blind and unable to walk, leaving his family financially ruined.
Systemic Failures and Human Cost
Harsh Yaduvanshi's death reinforces a haunting reality emerging from the Coldrif tragedy: even when children survive the initial poisoning, their families rarely survive the financial aftermath. The tragedy stands as more than just a case of toxic medicine—it represents a grim intersection of medical negligence, regulatory failure, and economic vulnerability.
As investigations continue into one of India's most devastating pharmaceutical scandals, families like the Yaduvanshis face the dual burden of emotional trauma and financial devastation. Their stories underscore how systemic failures can transform survival into a lifelong punishment for India's most vulnerable citizens.
