By Isaac Salima:
There was panic among parents and guardians yesterday when 131 students at Lunzu Secondary School were rushed to Mlambe Mission Hospital in Blantyre, where they were hospitalised in a case of suspected food poisoning.
The hospital’s principal nursing officer Anna Balley said the students had acute symptoms of stomach pains and diarrhoea, with most of them vomiting.
“We received phone calls at 7am from school authorities that most students had diarrhoea, with others vomiting. We sent our ambulances to take them to the hospital and we managed to resuscitate those with severe symptoms,” she said.
Balley further said there were no suspicions that the food was poisoned but that it only contained some poisonous substances.
- Advertisement -
At the time of our visit, we found the students in wards, with many in stable condition.
However, parents and guardians were still in panic mode as they kept on making their way into the facility to check on their children.
In a statement, the Blantyre District Health Office said its officials were still investigating the matter.
“Our preliminary findings indicate that the incident may have resulted from the nsima that was given to the students last evening (Sunday), that was not thoroughly cooked, or flour with maize preservation chemicals.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
“Going forward, the school has suspended the provision of nsima as we provide rice to the students as we conclude the investigations, “ a letter signed by Director of Health and Social Services Gift Kawalazira reads.
The statement further says 131 students were affected, with 42 students still admitted to Mlambe Hospital.
