Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Feb 13: Health department has taken steps to monitor the hostels run by schools and colleges in the wake of the frequent incidents of food poisoning. It is going to check the quality of food and water with the help of nearest primary health care centres (PHCs).

Recently, several students of a private hospital hostel were admitted to hospitals owing to food poisoning. As they recovered students of another college hostel took ill for the same reason. So the health department has formed a team of junior cadre officers including Asha workers to monitor the quality of food that is served in hostels.

The health department has instructed the PHCs to pay surprise visits to the hostels once in a week or once in a month and check the quality of food and also speak to hostel inmates regarding their health.

Representational image

Covid nodal officer Dr Ashok said that hospital staff will also be deployed along with PHC staff to get the job done more effectively.

Samples of recent food poisoning have been sent to Bengaluru and the report is yet to arrive. Even the quality of water has been sent for analysis. Both reports will be sent to the district administration soon.

Hostel students are affected by various diseases including vomiting and dysentery. Some hostels make use of water supplied by MCC while others have their own source of water. If cleanliness is not maintained, then diseases are bound to occur. The health department officials say that they are creating awareness among the hostel wardens regarding maintaining hygiene.