Health Drive at Maswan Ashram School in Palghar After 7-Year-Old Dies
Authorities in Palghar launched a comprehensive health screening drive at an ashram school in Maswan on Wednesday after a seven-year-old student died and 30 other children were hospitalised with symptoms of fever, cold, and cough.
The Palghar Zilla Parishad's health department conducted the drive to examine resident children and inspect hygiene, drinking water arrangements, and medical response protocols. The residential school accommodates 395 boarders among a total of 449 enrolled students.
The Class 1 student had developed a high fever on August 22 and was initially taken to a local Primary Health Centre. The fever returned on Monday, following which he was transferred to the Rural Hospital in Manor, where doctors declared him dead.
Following the fatality, 30 students showing similar symptoms were admitted to various district hospitals for observation. Officials confirmed that the remaining students at the residential facility are stable and out of danger.
Administrative action followed swiftly, with the school superintendent being suspended for gross negligence in the discharge of duties. The Food and Drug Administration inspected the school kitchen and collected grocery samples for laboratory analysis, while a Special Investigation Team was constituted to conduct a detailed probe into the student's death, fix responsibility, and recommend preventive protocols.
During the drive on Wednesday, medical teams collected throat swabs, blood, and serum samples from students, alongside water samples from the campus, to determine the source of the infection.
Sita Ghatal, president of the local organisation Shramjeevi Sanghatana, visited the school and urged the state government to take over the facility's management. She noted that the institution primarily serves children from the vulnerable Katkari community and migrant tribal families from Dahanu and surrounding areas, demanding round-the-clock emergency medical care, clean drinking water, adequate nutrition, and improved infrastructure.
