The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Soap to be mixed with cleaning acid

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Sep 02, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Soap to be mixed with cleaning acid

Special Correspondent

Decision follows several attempts to commit suicide by consuming acid

CHENNAI: The Drug Controller has been instructed to ensure that acid meant for cleaning purposesis not sold in its raw form. Instead soap should be mixed with it, Health Secretary Sheela Rani Chunkath said here on Thursday.

She was addressing an awareness programme on `Acid Poisoning' organised by Government Royapettah Hospital (GRH) and the Health Department.

The decision comes in the wake of several persons attempting suicide by consuming acid.

The dilution of cleaning acid will reduce accessibility for those attempting suicide.

The programme, which was attended by a large number of school and college students, was organised to create awareness,particularly among youngsters, that they should not attempt suicide.

Attempting suicide by consuming acid only caused injuries that led to a miserable life.

Emphasising that youngsters should have confidence in life, Ms. Chunkath said students should create awareness among their friends that they should never attempt suicide.

The tendency to commit suicide, particularly after public examinations, is on the increase and should be curbed.

Health Minister N. Thalavai Sundaram, who inaugurated the programme, told students not to lose confidence and to face up to life.

Three women, Gomathi of Thanjavur, Lakshmi of Madurai and Balaselvi of Chennai, who consumed acid in a bid to commit suicide and survived, narrated their sufferings.

Their parents and family also underwent immense hardship.

GRH superintendent R. Thirunarayanan and Head of the Department of Surgical Gastroenterology S.M. Chandramohan explained the objectives of the programme.

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