Children take five to 30 iron tablets together to compete with each other; six school students admitted to hospital

KUNNATHUR: Students who took iron tablets distributed by Mynagappally ICS Miladi Sharif Higher Secondary School fell ill. Six students who experienced vomiting and dizziness were admitted to the hospital. The incident took place yesterday afternoon.

Six eighth-grade students, Al-Sabit, Al-Sabir, Muhammad Hashim, Muhammad Nabeel, Muhammad Yasin, and Muhammad Shah, were admitted to the hospital. The authorities said that their health condition is satisfactory. All of them are students studying in different divisions. It is said that the children competed with each other to take tablets during the break, which caused health issues.

It is reported that each of them took five to 30 tablets together. The children were immediately taken to the Sasthamcotta Taluk Hospital and given first aid. They were shifted to other hospitals afterwards. The Health Department has a tradition of providing iron tablets to students through schools twice a year.

Given in large quantities

Iron tablets should be administered in proportion to the weight and health condition of each child, after a thorough assessment. However, parents are complaining that the Health Department is giving the tablets in large quantities to the children, contrary to this.

Congress Sasthamcotta Block President and Block Panchayat member Y Shahjahan alleged that the incident of students seeking treatment in the hospital after taking iron tablets is a case of negligence and dereliction of duty on the part of the Health Department.