
Be wary: Adulterated toddy is a silent killer
Endorsing this precarious situation and the perils that come with that, health experts are cautioning people against going in for adulterated toddy. In the absence of pure toddy and the high costs of liquor, many people are getting addicted to toddy and head to the nearest compound, while with an eye on the returns, members from the toddy society make a killing by blending the drink with a combination of dreaded chemicals like chloral hydrate, diazepam, alprazolam and others to give the 'kick'.
Healthcare experts opine that the chemicals that are added to the toddy can be fatal or may severely damage body organs. They point out that alprazolam, a banned substance that causes drowsiness, is openly used in toddy. Diazepam is a proven tranquilizer, which can reduce anxiety and relax muscles. When mixed with toddy, it adds to the intoxication. Benzoic acid is added to ensure that the toddy does not get stale for a long time. Methanol, an industrial alcohol, can kill even if a small amount of it is gulped.
Experts stated that these cocktails of chemicals can severely damage the central nervous system and lead to breathlessness, low blood pressure, coma, and even death.
Long-term consumption of adulterated toddy can gradually damage important body organs like the liver, kidneys, heart, and brain.
Diabetologist Dr Khizer Hussain Junaidy said that it was a misconception in some sections that toddy can help in a speedy recovery from illnesses. There is no scientific evidence to prove this, Dr Junaidy said and added that toddy is an alcoholic beverage. For people recovering from infections, surgeries, or chronic illnesses like diabetes, consuming toddy can hinder the recovery process. It's important to differentiate between cultural practices and medical facts, he said.
The short-term side-effects include severe intoxication in a short time, dizziness, vomiting, stomach ache, diarrhoea, loss of vision or permanent blindness, heart attack, low blood pressure. The long-term side effects include developing liver complications, brain damage leading to memory loss, nerve weakness, insomnia, mental anxiety, and decreased immunity levels. Depression, anxiety, hallucinations and addiction can worsen the plight of the consumer/addict. Senior IMA official Dr Kiran Madhala said that the authorities should check proactively, and people should be counselled about the ill-effects of toddy consumption.
'People should also think about whether we are getting enough toddy. Do we have enough trees?' said Dr Kiran. He further said that the government needs to have back up plans before it can impose a sweeping ban on toddy.
Rehabilitation is a complicated process. The government needs to provide rehabilitation as the withdrawal symptoms are deadly, he said.
Given this alarming situation, one must understand that closing toddy outlets where nine persons died after consuming adulterated toddy in Kukatpally and the surrounding areas between July 7 and 9 is no end-all remedy.
Booking cases and taking stringent action against those selling adulterated today can be an effective deterrent.
The moot question whether action would be taken against toddy society members given that they enjoy political patronage and constitute a powerful make-or-break vote bank.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
Experts discuss ECMO advances at meet in Vijayawada
Manipal Hospitals, Vijayawada, in collaboration with the Indian Medical Association (IMA), hosted a medical education programme focused on advanced practices and innovations in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) in Vijayawada on Sunday. Titled 'Mastering ECMO – Insights from Manipal's Leading Experts,' the day-long event saw medical experts and professionals from Hyderabad and Bengaluru participated. The sessions featured case-based discussions and critical care applications such as weaning strategies, patient selection, and bridging to cardiac transplant. Additionally, the programme included a hands-on workshop that focused on ECMO components, cannulation techniques, oxygenator failure, air embolism management, and 4H troubleshooting strategies. The event was supported by the Critical Care and Pulmonology departments of Manipal Hospitals. Sudhakar Kantipudi, Cluster Director of Manipal Hospitals, called for more such initiatives to improve ECMO capabilities and critical care outcomes in the region. Among those present were IMA, Vijayawada, president B. Hanumaiah, IMA secretary V. Suresh Kumar, Manipal Hospitals, Bengaluru, chairman Sunil Karanth and others.


Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Far-off NEET-PG centres spark distress among aspirants; IMA-JDN urges ministry to act
New Delhi: The Indian Medical Association-Junior Doctors' Network (IMA-JDN) has submitted an urgent representation to Union Health Minister J P Nadda , raising serious concern over the allotment of NEET-PG centres. The move came after aspirants across the country reported being allotted exam centres in far-off states for the medical entrance test , triggering widespread distress and anxiety. With the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Postgraduate (NEET-PG) scheduled on August 3, the IMA-JDN has urged the Union Health Ministry to direct the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) to reopen the exam centre change portal so that the affected candidates can avail the option of choosing centres within their home state or nearby locations. In the representation, the IMA-JDN emphasised that while some students have received centres in nearby cities, thousands of candidates have been assigned exam centres in distant states, for which they have to undertake long, expensive, and stressful journeys to unfamiliar destinations. The doctors' body said in a statement, "This move is causing much concern, especially among the economically weaker sections, ladies, and those from remote or rural regions." "This disparity not only affects fairness but could negatively impact students' mental well-being and performance in this critical, once-a-year exam," it said. "IMA-JDN remains committed to ensuring equity and accessibility in all aspects of medical education and examination systems," the doctors' body added. PTI


Hindustan Times
14 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Homeopath challenges state's move to end dual registration for modern medicine practice
MUMBAI: A Pune-based homeopathy practitioner has approached the Bombay High Court, challenging the Maharashtra government's recent decision to discontinue the separate registration of homeopaths authorised to practise modern medicine after completing the Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP). Homeopath challenges state's move to end dual registration for modern medicine practice The petitioner, Dr Rashi Vinod Mordia, has alleged that the decision undermines previous legal rulings that upheld the right of CCMP-qualified homeopaths to practise allopathy, particularly in rural and underserved areas. A division bench of justices Revati Mohite Dere and Neela Gokhale has directed the state authorities to respond to the petition and posted the matter for hearing on July 28. In her plea, filed through advocate Sagar Kursija, Dr Mordia has challenged a July 11 circular issued by the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC), which instructed officials to stop the separate registration of homeopathic practitioners who had completed the CCMP course. On the same day, the state drug commissionerate also withdrew earlier permissions that allowed the sale of modern medicines based on prescriptions by such practitioners. The CCMP course was introduced following amendments in 2014 to the Maharashtra Homeopathic Medical Practitioners Act and the Maharashtra Medical Council Act, allowing homeopaths who completed a year-long CCMP training to practise modern medicine. On April 24, 2025, the medical education and drugs department had directed the MMC to maintain a separate register for such practitioners. However, just three months later, the same department reversed its stand without offering detailed reasons. Dr Mordia's petition notes that the Pune branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) had earlier challenged the 2014 amendments, but the Bombay High Court had declined to stay their implementation. A subsequent special leave petition before the Supreme Court was dismissed in July 2015. In this context, the petition argues that the July 11 decision appears to be a backdoor attempt to bypass the apex court's refusal to interfere with the amended law. It alleges that the IMA again made a representation to the chief minister on July 1, which directly influenced the reversal of the registration policy. Further, the petition emphasises that the 2014 amendments were part of a deliberate policy initiative aimed at addressing the shortage of medical professionals in rural areas and ensuring wider access to healthcare through government health schemes. 'The state's sudden U-turn undermines the very objective of providing affordable and accessible healthcare to the rural population,' the plea states, urging the court to stay the July 11 circular and reinstate the earlier registration policy.