Daijiworld Media Network - Sullia (SP)

Sullia, Sep 24: A total of 13 students of the government higher primary school in Mudnoor near here fell ill after consuming large quantities of the folic acid pills. While some students were treated at Sullia government hospital, two were treated at a private hospital here. One of the students, Aseema, has been admitted to KMC Hospital Mangalore for advanced treatment.

The government has been supplying folic acid tablets to the children facing vitamin deficiency. These tablets have to be given by the teachers to such children at the rate of one tablet once in two days. It is said that the school teacher here distributed 30 tablets to all such students, with instructions to consume them after dinner.

But, the third standard students of the school, finding that the tablets are sweet, competed among themselves in the matter of consuming then. It is gathered that a student named Aseema gulped down 32 tablets while one Supreeta ate 16 tablets and another Shraddha consumed 28 tablets. Nine students consumed more than two tablets each.

After the three students who had consumed high doses of tablets started vomiting at home, the family members got them treated in hospitals.  Sullia government medical officer Dr Bhanumathi said that the school has failed to follow the instructions to obtain permission from the health department before distributing tablets to the children. She also pointed out that the instructions displayed through a board in the school clearly say that the tablets are to be given to the children at the rate of one tablet once in two days, which was also violated. Excessive consumption of folic acid can harm the intestine and even can cause bleeding there, she warned.

MLA Angara visited the hospital and enquired about the children's health. Out of the 12 students who were examined at Sullia hospital, haemoglobin deficiency was found in the case of one student while others were found to be normal. Block education officer Malleswamy visited the school and said that he has recommended to the deputy director of public instruction to suspend the headmistress of the school Gangamma, for dereliction of duty.