21 students fall sick after taking medicine

SHILLONG, July 29: Twenty-one students of Kyntiew Shaphrang Higher Secondary School, Laitlyngkot fell sick after taking iron and folic acid tablets.
A teacher of the school, Iada Kharpomthiah said 72 students had taken the tablet out of whom 21 complained of stomach ache and vomiting while some collapsed soon after taking the medicine.
According to the teacher, the students took the tablet after having their lunch. She further said that the medicine prescribed this time was different from what they give to the school every year. The medicine was received from the authorities of the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), she added.
Principal of the school L Shabong said the students were rushed to Laitlyngkot PHC which is close to the school.
Dr L Jaba of Laitlyngkot PHC said he has collected  of the medicine which has provided under the weekly iron folic acid supplementation programme. He will submit a report to the Directorate of Health Services on the need to investigate the medicine.
“We have discharged some students whose condition improved after treatment,” Dr Jaba said.
As per reports, three students who were discharged after initial treatment had to be readmitted at the PHC after their condition deteriorated.