Gurgaon children fall ill after taking iron tablet,docs say don’t panic

According to Sunita Rathi,Deputy Civil Surgeon and in-charge of the WIPS programme,said: “There were about 31 cases reported from Bhondsi and Sohna,where the children required immediate medical attention as they suffered from vomiting,dehydration,headache and abdominal pain. But they reported mild symptoms and were treated at the hospital and subsequently discharged. We visited a school in Bhondsi,where a student was put on a glucose drip when it was not required. Gradually,when word spread that other cases were being reported,even the mild cases that could be treated in a Public Health Centre were referred to the hospital. It was more psychological than physical. Most of the children were discharged in a few hours. It must be noted that the pill must be consumed after a meal with lots of water.”

Following the controversy over the iron tablet,doctors as well as district administration officials held a meeting on Wednesday to chart the course of action on the programme.

Dr Pushpa Bishnoi,CMO (Civil Hospital),Gurgaon said: “A total of 62,853 students were given these tablets in Gurgaon and of them,only 163 students reported mild stomach ache or giddiness. We cannot stop this programme because a negligible number of students reported mild side-effects. No child reported any serious problem. The health centres will be kept open round the clock on Mondays when these tablets are given to students.”

“Tablets of 50 mg or half the normal dose,will be given to those students who suffered stomachache or other mild side-effects for the next 5 to 6 weeks so that their body is prepared to absorb iron,” Bishnoi said.