Bihar: 60 Students Fall Ill After Eating Mid-Day Meal in Nalanda
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Synopsis
In Bihar, 60 students at Shri Chandpur Primary School fell ill after a mid-day meal. Complaints of stomach pain and vomiting arose shortly after lunch. Health officials responded quickly, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause, focusing on food quality and preparation negligence.
Key Takeaways
- 60 students fell ill after a mid-day meal.
- Boiled eggs are suspected as the cause.
- Health officials transported students to a hospital.
- Investigation into food quality and preparation is ongoing.
- Parents demand regular food quality checks.
Patna, Feb 28 (NationPress) A minimum of 60 students from Shri Chandpur Primary School in Harnaut block experienced health issues on Friday after consuming a mid-day meal.
The students reported stomach pain and vomiting approximately two hours post-lunch.
They suspect that the boiled eggs served during the meal could be the cause of their ailments.
Local health officials promptly responded to the situation, transporting the affected students to Kalyan Vigha Referral Hospital.
Dr. Jitendra Kumar Singh, who oversaw the treatment, confirmed that the students are on the path to recovery.
BPM Manish Kumar reported that 25 students have already been discharged, with the others expected to return home shortly.
District Education Officer (DEO) Rajkumar mentioned that an inquiry is currently underway to ascertain whether the issue arose from substandard food quality or negligence in its preparation.
The education department has pledged to enhance monitoring processes to eliminate any lapses in food preparation and distribution.
“Food samples have been sent for laboratory testing, and strict measures will be enforced against those deemed responsible,” Rajkumar stated.
Authorities have promised to implement measures to avert such incidents in the future.
The mid-day meal program plays a vital role in providing nutritional support to school children, and events like this spark serious concerns about food safety and hygiene in government institutions.
In the aftermath of the incident, parents and local residents have expressed significant worries regarding the quality of mid-day meals served in government schools.
Parents emphasize that children's health cannot be compromised and have urged authorities to perform regular quality assessments on the food provided in schools.
They also demand stringent monitoring to avoid similar occurrences and ensure that children receive safe and nutritious meals.
The district administration is taking the issue seriously and has instructed officials to bolster oversight of the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme.
