JOWAI/ NONGPOH: At least 22 people were taken ill over the past couple of days in two cases of suspected food poisoning in Jowai and Nongpoh areas.
At least 15 people including men, women and children of Moo-le-paw, Nongjngi village were admitted to Dr. Norman Tunnel Hospital and Nartiang PHC after they fell ill due to suspected food poisoning.
The headman of the village, Proson Kam said “My sister gave birth to a baby and as per our customary practice we had organised a family feast on Friday. We invited our relatives and friends, however, some of the invitees started feeling sick on Saturday morning.”
When asked if the cause of the unknown sickness was pork meat, he said no. “We never vaccinate our pigs or cows. I strongly suspect that it is due to the chicken and chemically grown vegetables,” he added.
The headman further informed on Sunday, he rushed 14 victims to Jowai District Civil Hospital, Ialong, but on reaching there they were taken aback by the attitude of the medical staff. “The doctor on duty along with his staff paid no heed instead forced us to go to Mission Hospital (i.e. Dr. Norman Tunnel Hospital) a hospital runs by Presbyterian mission,” Kam said.
“Why we are always forced to go to a private hospital without being diagnosed and even without providing first aid at the government hospital”, questioned a young man who was present with the headman.
The people of Jaintia Hills do not trust Dr. Norman Tunnel Hospital, which is also known as Mission or KJPA Hospital. “The reason is that a non qualified doctor who passed out from Russia and did not even qualify the MCI examination is working in the hospital,” a source alleged
Mushroom poisoning in Nongpoh
The family from Mawkhla village under Nongpoh Police station, who fell ill after allegedly consuming wild mushrooms collected from a nearby forest located in the village, is in a stable condition.
The seven members of the family had consumed poisonous wild mushroom cooked for dinner on Friday evening. It was informed that the family members fell sick immediately after consuming the mushrooms and were brought to Nongpoh Civil Hospital for treatment on the same evening. But after their condition worsened, they were later shifted to NEIGRIHMS for further treatment.
The family members, who have been affected are Elithia Makdoh, (1), Skhembor Kupar (11), Shanskhem Kupar Makdoh (9), Wanlam Makdoh (13), Ariohiki Makdoh (6) Khrawkupar Makdoh (18) and Dondor Makdoh (26).
