Baby dies after parents allegedly try to cure his meningitis with syrup

With the cost of healthcare and medication so high, many people across the globe are finding themselves using self-diagnosis and home remedies to cure ailments.

However, research has found that self-diagnosis is responsible for many deaths. In Brazil alone, around 20,000 deaths annually are recorded as a result of self-medication.

One couple in Canada is now facing criminal charges after they gave their son, who was suffering from meningitis, home remedies, The boy ended up losing his life, Buzzfeed reported.

They are being accused of "failing to provide the necessities of life" for their son.

In order to cure their son, Ezekiel, the parents reportedly gave him a number of home remedies, including: maple syrup mixed with water, juice with frozen fruit, and a concoction of garlic, ginger root, and apple cider vinegar.

The parents, who own Truehope Nutritional Support, a supplements company, reportedly asked a nurse friend to examine the baby and she told them that the child had meningitis.

They then reportedly took Ezekiel to a naturopathic doctor, who suggested a viral meningitis treatment, but it was too late, as the boy had stopped breathing.

"I’m not saying they killed him, abused him, or ignored him — they loved him. They didn’t take him to a doctor until it was too late — far too late," prosecutor Clayton Giles reportedly told jurors.

However, the parents say their case is "a fight against the 'vaccine agenda'", and have accused the media of "intentional dissemination of misinformation that has served to be extremely provocative and defaming of my wife and I and the organization that I work for". This was written on their Facebook page - "Prayers for Ezekiel".

"Since this court case has begun, there has been a great deal of opposition and outright malicious attacks from various organizations, some having pharmaceutical interests and others just having a very strong opposing agenda. My wife and I have come to the point that it is of no affect. Our only desire is that the truth comes out. For those that have been actively opposing us and even sought to hurt us, we forgive you and clear ourselves of the bitterness and hatred," they added.

How frequently do you self-diagnose your child? Share your stories with Bridget.