malvernmugadzikwa
Online Reporter
TRAGEDY struck Maneta Primary School last week after one learner died and 60 others were hospitalised for suspected food poisoning.
Director of communications and advocacy in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Mr Taungana Ndoro confirmed the incident.
He said on June 26, five parents prepared sadza and soya chunks for learners as part of the school’s feeding programme.
The food was served at around 11am.
“Shortly after lunch, the school’s head was called to Grade 4 and 5 classes where multiple students were vomiting. The students were immediately taken to the nearby Chimbudzi Clinic for medical attention,” said Mr Ndoro.
As the day progressed, more learners fell sick.
By 4pm, 23 learners had been referred to the clinic for medical attention.
Six hours later, the number had increased to 57 learners.
Murambinda Hospital and other health authorities were alerted, and a medical team was dispatched to the clinic.
Doctors attended to the affected learners and discharged 43.
Fourteen learners required intravenous fluids before being sent home.
However, on June 28, three learners, including an ECD A pupil, were taken back to the clinic as they had persistent stomach aches.
The ECD learner, Tanya Chipiro, unfortunately passed away around 3pm that day.
Mr Ndoro said the ministry has sent a team of psychologists to the school to counsel survivors and their families.
“The Maneta community is devastated by this incident and our thoughts and prayers go out to Tanya’s family and all those affected. We await the investigation’s findings to ensure that a tragedy of this nature does not occur again.”
Food samples have been collected and authorities are awaiting results of laboratory tests to determine what happened.
Online Reporter