TOBA TEK SINGH: Nearly 180 school children fell ill after taking tablets meant to eliminate intestinal hookworms and given to them by a health department team.

Villagers of Chak 296 GB said students of government primary school reported sever abdomen pain after taking Mebendazole (500 mg) on Wednesday while some of them fell unconscious. They were rushed to the DHQ Hospital where doctors treated them. All children were discharged from the hospital in the evening after their condition improved.

Identical complaint was reported from Pirmahal’s Chak 755 GB where two minor girls were admitted to the Arrouti Rural Health Centre.

Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon said the medicine stocks had been withdrawn and samples sent to the Lahore forensic lab.

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2018