Food Poisoning Outbreak Affects Students in Telangana Schools
Food Poisoning Incident in Telangana
A screengrab showing students admitted at Mannanur Hospital after food poisoning incident in Telangana(source: @FabulasGuy/X)
Hyderabad, July 9: Another case of food poisoning has emerged from government-run residential schools in Telangana, with 26 students falling ill at a tribal residential school located in Nagarkurnool district on Thursday.
The students began to feel unwell after consuming breakfast at the Chenchu Tribal Government Residential School in Mannanur Village, Amrabad Mandal.
Shortly after their meal, they exhibited symptoms such as diarrhoea. The affected students were initially taken to Mannanur Government Hospital but were later transferred to another facility due to a shortage of available beds.
Due to the lack of space, some students had to lie on the floor while receiving treatment, prompting parents to voice their concerns about the inadequate hospital facilities.
Eventually, the students were moved to Achampet Area Hospital for further care.
Several students reported seeing insects in the 'khichdi' they were served for breakfast.
This incident follows closely on the heels of another food poisoning case at Kamareddy Gurukul School, where 33 students were hospitalized after experiencing illness post-lunch.
These two incidents of food poisoning in residential schools since the start of the academic year have raised serious concerns regarding the safety of food provided to students.
Last July, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) instructed the state government to investigate over 800 suspected food poisoning cases and submit a comprehensive report.
NHRC chairperson Justice V. Ramasubramanian expressed serious concern over the poisoning incidents, noting that approximately 48 student fatalities were linked to 886 food poisoning cases in gurukul schools across Telangana.
In a related development, students at Telangana University in Nizamabad district organized a significant protest on Thursday, demanding solutions to the ongoing drinking water crisis.
Frustrated by the recent lack of adequate water supply, they blocked an RTC bus that arrived at the university as part of their demonstration.