40 Shahada Government Hostel Students Fall Ill Due To Suspected Food Poisoning
Nearly 40 students at a government social welfare hostel in Shahada, Nandurbar, fell ill on Saturday after suffering from suspected food poisoning and gastritis. The incident triggered widespread panic among the hostel students and their parents, leading to the hospitalisation of 25 children.
Among the hospitalised students, 20 were admitted to the Rural Hospital in Shahada. Five other students, who experienced oxygen and blood pressure complications, had to be admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for specialised care. A few students were also shifted to a private hospital to receive better medical treatment.
Following the news of the incident, District Collector Mitali Sethi visited the hospital to assess the situation. She interacted with the hospitalised children, asking them about their current health condition. Shocked parents were also present at the medical facility, anxious about their children's well-being.
Collector Sethi assured the public that all 25 hospitalised students are currently stable and out of danger. She stated that she is taking regular updates from the treating doctors. Most of the children admitted to the Rural Hospital have stabilised, and they will be discharged after being kept under observation for 24 hours.
Local authorities have launched a formal investigation to find the cause of the illness. Officials have already collected food samples from the hostel, as well as vomit samples from the affected students, for laboratory testing.
According to Collector Sethi, the administration will determine accountability based on the laboratory results. Officials are working on fixing responsibility for the hostel's Headmaster (HM), the Social Welfare Officer, and the hostel Warden.
A police team was also present at the hospital to coordinate with the administration and address the concerns of the worried parents. Collector Sethi added that the administration plans to visit the hostel over the next two months to thoroughly address all outstanding issues.
