Malkangiri: Trouble erupted at an anganwadi centre in Malkangiri district when eight children, including six girls, fell ill after eating the fruits of Jatropha plant that are normally cultivated for bio-diesel.
The parents of the ill children agitated at the centre at Mansuguda village in Malkangiri block, alleging that no proper arrangements were made before it was reopened.
According to the parents, the children were roaming outside because the centre in-charge did not take any class on Wednesday morning. Some of the children then consumed the fruits.
Soon, eight of them started vomiting and were taken to the district headquarters hospital (DHH) in Malkangiri.
“The kids had reportedly eaten the fruits of the Jatropha tree out of curiosity. They complained of vomiting and pain in their abdomen. They were admitted to the DHH and are now out of danger,” Chief District Medical Officer (Malkangiri) Prafulla Nanda said.
Nanda said the children may have eaten the seeds as they taste sweet. “All the children who experienced vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and burning sensation in the throat were given IV fluids. There is nothing to worry about,” he added.
On their part, the parents and other locals blamed the ICDS and block officials for not adhering to standard operating procedure regarding COVID-19. The situation could have been averted had the centre in-charge conducted the pre-school class for the children, they said.
