GUWAHATI: In a concerning incident, 13 students at Dahotia Higher Secondary School in Jorhat, Assam, fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal provided by the school. The incident took place on a Wednesday, sending shockwaves through the local community.
Following the consumption of the afternoon meal, at least 13 students experienced symptoms of food poisoning, prompting immediate action. Authorities swiftly rushed the affected students to the Jorhat Medical College and Hospital (JMCH) for medical attention.
Pulak Mahanta, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Jorhat district, provided an update on the situation. He revealed that out of the 13 students affected, seven of them were discharged after receiving necessary treatment. However, the condition of the remaining six students was more severe, and they were subsequently transferred to a facility for more advanced medical care.
To get to the bottom of this alarming incident, the Jorhat DC ordered a comprehensive investigation. As part of this inquiry, food samples from the mid-day meal were collected for analysis. This step is crucial to determine the source of the food poisoning and to prevent further occurrences in the future.
Reports indicate that a total of 104 students had partaken in the mid-day meal on the day of the incident. In response to this health crisis, two teams were formed to closely monitor the well-being of the school's students. The Deputy Commissioner stressed the importance of ensuring the students' health and safety, promising that a major health check-up would be conducted for all the students on the following day.
In a further effort to safeguard the students' health, the local dispensary was activated to provide initial treatment if any health concerns arose during the night. This rapid response and the commitment of the local authorities to investigate the incident and ensure the students' well-being are vital in managing this unfortunate situation.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of food safety and the need for strict quality control measures, especially in school meal programs. It also highlights the significance of prompt action by local authorities and the healthcare system to ensure the affected students receive the best possible care.
The community in Jorhat, Assam, anxiously awaits the results of the investigation, hoping for a quick resolution and the assurance of safer meals for their school-going children.
ALSO WATCH: