Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 16: An elderly villager died while nine others turned sick after consuming wild vegetable at Kandi Morha, in upper reaches of Kotranka Sub Division of district Rajouri last night.
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Reports said two families hailing from Mohra Kandi consumed the wild vegetable, locally known as `Ban Ganeri’ (Saag) on Friday evening. At around 9 pm, at least ten members of these two families started feeling drowsiness and vomiting and their condition deteriorated.
The other family members informed neighbourers who contacted local Pharmacist who arrived on the spot and suggested to shift the sick people to Kotrnaka hospital. They suspected some food poisoning and shifted them to CHC Kandi/ Kotranka. After providing initial treatment, they were further referred to GMC Rajouri at 2 am in the night.
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During treatment, 58-year-old Mohammad Hussain, son of Jali, died at GMC Rajouri, while seven others, most of them children, are undergoing treatment at GMC. Two children were provided treatment at local hospital and they were said to be stable and sent home, an official said.
The patients admitted in the GMC Rajouri include- Rubina Kousar (24 Yrs) wife of Shaukat Ali; Aafia Kousar (17 yrs), daughter of Talib Hussain; Rashid Ali (6), son of Mohammad Shakoor; Atish Ali (10), son of Mohammad Shakoor; Mohammad Imran (8), son of Mohammad Shakoor; Mohammad Irfan (16), son of Sakhi Mohammad and Saddam Hussain (14), son of Sakhi Mohammad, all residents of Kandi Mohra.
CMO Rajouri, Dr ML Rana said on the instructions of Deputy Commissioner, Abhishek Sharma he himself, Principal GMC Rajouri Dr A S Bhatia and some other officials rushed to the troubled hamlet early morning. After covering some on-foot hilly journey they reached there and interacted with the other people at the hamlet . The team was told that deceased- Mohd Hussain had gone to Dhoke on the Pir Panjal heights and had returned last evening. He brought Ban Ganeri ( Wild vegetable-Sag) for the family. They used to consume it earlier also. Since the leaves of `Ban Ganeri’ and `Ban Tambaku’ appear almost similar, Mohd Hussain mistakenly had picked up those leaves also along with Ban Ganeri. Since Ban Tambaku is said to be of poisonous nature, these family members with the impact of this wild leaves might have turned sick.
The CMO said the sample of consumed food stuff was lifted and the team returned in the evening. The food has been sent for Lab test. He said Health Department and local administration have taken cognizance of the incident and initiated an investigation into the matter.
Principal GMC Rajouri, Dr AS Bhatia said that preliminary investigations have revealed that the affected families had consumed a poisonous variety of wild vegetable locally known as “Ban Ghaneri.” He informed that all seven admitted patients, mostly children, are responding well to treatment and are under close medical observation.
He further appealed to the public not to be panic and advised people to avoid consuming unidentified wild vegetables until the investigation is completed. Health officials have urged residents to immediately contact the nearest health centre or hospital in case of any illness after consuming such vegetables.
Meanwhile, four employees of the Health Department, including a Malaria Inspector and three Basic Health Workers, were suspended by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Rajouri for alleged absenteeism during the emergency response to the suspected food poisoning incident in Mohra village of Kandi block.
The action was taken after the employees allegedly failed to report at the affected site despite advance telephonic and WhatsApp instructions issued by senior officers.
Official sources said the suspensions were ordered following a surprise inspection conducted at Community Health Centre (CHC) Kandi amid the ongoing health emergency in Mohra village.
Senior district officers, including the District Development Commissioner Rajouri, were monitoring the situation and supervising medical response measures.
Apart from the suspensions, notices were issued to 14 doctors, medical officers and paramedical employees of CHC Kandi for allegedly remaining absent from duty without prior permission or intimation during the emergency.
They have been directed to submit written explanations within two days, failing which disciplinary action under service rules may follow.
The CMO office also ordered deduction of two days’ salary of the concerned employees for the month of May, directing that the amount be deposited in the Red Cross Fund besides making entries in their service records.
Separate notices were also served to the Block Medical Officer Kandi and other doctors over alleged unauthorized absence from headquarters during the public health emergency.
The Health Department stated that the matter has been viewed seriously as such lapses affect emergency preparedness and public confidence in the healthcare system.
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