'Food poisoning': Relief as pupils are out of danger!

LIMPOPO Health MEC Dieketseng Mashego and Education MEC Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya visited Dzumeri Primary School to assess the food poisoning situation.

The visit aimed to evaluate the condition of the affected pupils and ensure that appropriate measures are implemented.

This follows the incident where 75 pupils from the school outside Giyani were rushed to Nkhensani Hospital on Thursday, 14 November, for screening.

This occurred after they were fed porridge and milk from the School Nutrition Programme.

However, preliminary reports indicate that they also had fat cakes and sweets. They then started vomiting, and others complained of stomach cramps.

Out of the 75 pupils observed at the hospital, 11 remained for further overnight observation.

MEC Mashego said they're relieved to report that out of the 11 pupils who were kept for overnight observation, only three remain in hospital.

"Medical professionals have confirmed that their condition is stable, and they're receiving the necessary care," she said.

MEC Lerule-Ramakhanya has emphasised the importance of prioritising the health and safety of pupils.

"We are here to ensure that the lives of our pupils are protected. After our visit, we are confident that the situation at the school is under control, allowing schooling and examinations to continue without interruption," she said.

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Lerule-Ramakhanya said they want to further thank parents and members of the community who have been patient and allowed them to handle the situation.

"We also had an opportunity to allay their fears with the report and help they received from the health workers," she said.

Greater Giyani Mayor Thandi Zitha said that prior to the incident, police and municipal teams conducted raids at various spaza shops.

"They confiscated unsafe food items and apprehended individuals trading without the requisite documentation," she said.

Some parents said their fears will be alleviated once they find the source of the incident.

"We are eagerly waiting for the outcomes of the investigations so that we know what we are dealing with and how to respond. Until then, we remain in fear," said a parent (48).