Bhubaneswar: Two students of government-run residential school in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, where suspected food poisoning led to a death of a Class V girl, were on Thursday shifted to the SCB Medical College and Hospital (MCH) in Cuttack,
These students have been identified as Ramesh Murmu and Laxmi Tudu. They were undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the PRM Medical College and Hospital at Baripada. “The two students, a boy and a girl, were shifted to SCBMCH in Cuttack for better treatment,” said Dean of PRM Medical College and Hospital Braja Kishore Das.
Another student, Laxmipriya Besra, a resident of Nalgaja under Rasgovindpur block, was earlier shifted to Sishu Bhawan in Cuttack.
On April 12, nearly 148 students of Kakabandha Ashram School hostel in Rasgovindpur block fell ill after having pakhala (fermented rice), saga bhaja (fried green leaves), and aloo bharta (mashed potatoes) for breakfast, which was not part of the department-mandated nutrient-rich menu, which had scheduled upma and curry instead. The food was allegedly cooked for Saturday’s lunch. They soon complained of severe diarrhoea, vomiting, and other symptoms of suspected food poisoning.
The affected students were admitted to Rasagobindapur Community Health Centre (CHC). Rupali Besra, who was shifted to PRM Medical College and Hospital a day later, succumbed while undergoing treatment in the ICU on April 14.
On April 15, Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) Sudhanshu Samal began an inquiry into the matter. He visited Rasagobindapur Community Health Centre (CHC) and the medical college, where he interacted with the affected students and their families. Samal also inspected the school premises, including the kitchen, and examined the quality of the food and drinking water arrangements. Later, he conducted a high-level review meeting with Collector Hemakanta Say, Superintendent of Police Varun Guntupalli, and other senior officials.
While close to 60 students are still undergoing treatment at the PRM hospital, at least 12 students have been discharged. The RDC assured that strict action will be taken against those responsible. “Preventive measures are being put in place to avoid a recurrence,” he added.
A medical team from SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, is also investigating the causes behind the diarrhoea and vomiting among students.
