KOTA KINABALU: A total of 91 students from SK Pulau Gaya experienced food poisoning believed to be from the supply of the Supplementary Food Programme (RMT) here yesterday.
The state education director, Datuk Raisin Saidin, said that, as a result of the incident, the RMT service was immediately suspended for the afternoon session of schooling yesterday.
He said that the incident was detected after several students complained of vomiting and other symptoms around noon.
According to initial information, more than 20 students were involved in the food poisoning case.
“The school collected information on the students involved in this food poisoning case and promptly sent them to the Sabah Women and Children’s Hospital (HWKKS).
“Some students received treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (HQE) 1 and Luyang Health Clinic. We advise parents or guardians involved to take their children for immediate treatment at nearby clinics if there are symptoms of food poisoning,” he said in a statement today.
Raisin said that further examination revealed that 55 students received further treatment at HWKKS, 25 at HQE1, Luyang Health Clinic (8 students), UTC Kota Kinabalu Clinic (1 student), and SAFMA Kota Kinabalu Jetty with two students.
“The students’ health status is at stage two, and they are still under hospital monitoring.
“Based on the reports received, it is understood that there are no critical cases, with 90% of students admitted to the hospital for monitoring and the remaining 10% allowed to return home.
“The Kota Kinabalu District Education Office has scheduled a meeting with the Kota Kinabalu Health Office team to conduct an investigation and take samples at the school today,” Raisin explained.
The directive from the Kota Kinabalu District Education Office last night was to immediately cease the canteen and RMT services for the safety of the students.
“For now, the actual cause of the incident is still under investigation by the Sabah State Health Department (JKNS).
“JPNS requests that all parents or guardians report immediately if their wards experience any symptoms of food poisoning. JPNS is constantly monitoring the situation,” he said.
