Authorities in Ibba County Detains one of the National Health Director over Deworming Programs that has Caused severely health complications to pupils and students.
As investigations into the incident where hundreds of pupils and students developed health complications after being administered the deworming drugs continues, authorities in Ibba Country, Western Equatoria State are holding one of the Nation Health Directors over the incident that has seen hundreds of pupils and students from different schools in Ibba being admitted in various hospitals.
According to some pupils from Ibba Girls’ Boarding Primary and Secondary school who spoke to Rurugene Online Newsletter, a group of people who identified themselves as health workers came to their school and administered to all pupils the drug which was meant to deworming them against bilharzia.
Hon. Elisama Charles Babua, the County Commissioner for Ibba confirmed that the deworming program was being rolled out and the team carrying out the exercise arrived in Ibba on 28th September 2021. The personnel from the health department conducted training to some agents in Ibba County before deploying them to carry out the exercise.
Unfortunately, many students to whom the drug was ministered developed adverse reactions which included stomachache, headache, and vomiting. The reactions started less than an hour after the students and pupils ingested the drug which was in form of tablets. Sources from Ibba indicated that the victims who took three to four tablets were more affected.
Elisama pointed out that National Health Director who headed the program in Ibba County has been taken in by the police as investigations into the matter continue.
Colleta William, the school matron at Ibba girls’ boarding school said that it was shocking to see children writhing in pain, some vomiting severely shortly after taking the drugs. She, therefore, called on the government to be more careful when sending any medicines to the school children to avoid such incidences happening again in the future.
Some of the affected children are currently admitted at Ibba health center while others are at Maridi Hospital. Although the majority of those admitted are not critically ill, there are others whose conditions have worsen and have been put on oxygen. Thankfully, none of the victims have succumbed to the effects.
Moses Tata Joseph, the administrator, and finance personnel at Maridi hospital confirmed that the health workers at the hospital responded effectively to the situation and that things are now well under control. Mr. Tata, however, appealed to the government, health partners, and other well-wishers to bring sufficient drugs and food items for the pupils and students who are admitted to the hospital.
Africano Monde Foundation, a local organization based in Maridi County on Monday, October 4, responded to the call and brought food items to the hospital for the children admitted there.
By Elias Ginana Mangbondo
