Four girls fall ill after mid-day meal at Odisha high school

Four girl students of Naikula tribal high school in Barkote block reportedly fell ill after consuming mid-day meal on Wednesday.

Soon after having the noon meal, three Class VII students and another from Class VIII complained of illness. One of them was initially taken to Barkote community health centre after her condition deteriorated. Later, three other students developed similar symptoms.

All the four girls were later shifted to Deogarh district headquarters hospital for treatment. Hospital sources said the students were kept under observation and given necessary treatment including oxygen support. Their condition gradually improved by evening.

ADMO (Medical) Manoranjan Samal said the students are responding to treatment and their condition is improving. "We are monitoring them closely and providing all necessary medical care, including oxygen support where required. Their vital signs are stabilizing and they are showing signs of recovery," he stated in a press briefing at the hospital.

The exact cause of their illness has not yet been ascertained. Hospital officials confirmed that samples of the mid-day meal have been collected and sent for laboratory testing to rule out food contamination or poisoning.

Official sources said the district administration has directed the school authorities to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and ascertain whether any lapse occurred in preparation of the noon meal. The District Education Officer, who visited the school on Thursday, emphasized that hygiene protocols in meal preparation and storage are under review.

Necessary action and corrective measures will be taken based on the findings of the inquiry. The administration has also instructed the Block Education Officer to conduct surprise inspections of mid-day meal kitchens across schools in Barkote block to ensure compliance with safety standards.

Parents of the affected students expressed concern over the safety of the school meal program. One mother, whose daughter is in Class VIII, said, "We trust the school to feed our children safely. This incident has shaken our confidence. We demand accountability and better oversight."

Local tribal leaders have urged authorities to strengthen monitoring mechanisms, noting that many students in the region rely heavily on the mid-day meal for their daily nutrition. They called for greater transparency in the supply chain and cooking process.

The mid-day meal scheme, a central government initiative aimed at improving nutritional levels among schoolchildren, has faced periodic scrutiny in Odisha over quality and hygiene issues. Officials reiterated their commitment to ensuring safe and wholesome meals for all students.

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