Mass student poisoning case: Reviewing school kitchens across Quang Tri province

The suspected food poisoning case and information about "preventing poisoned students from going to the hospital" at Kim Thuy Primary Boarding School (Kim Ngan Commune) heated up the regular meeting of the People's Committee of Quang Tri Province yesterday, October 3.

- Ảnh 1. — Ms. Diep Thi Minh Quyet, Director of the Department of Health of Quang Tri province (standing), said that it is necessary to simultaneously inspect school kitchens, especially those with negative public opinion.

Ms. Diep Thi Minh Quyet, Director of the Department of Health of Quang Tri province, said that the health sector promptly provided emergency care to the student suspected of poisoning, preventing serious complications, and took samples for testing to determine the cause.

However, Ms. Quyet pointed out the shortcomings when some communes, after administrative reorganization, lacked human resources, so they were slow in reporting and handling situations. The Department of Health is building a quick response process and providing specific instructions to localities on how to handle poisoning incidents.

“This is a wake-up call. School kitchens need to be inspected simultaneously, especially in places where there are public concerns about meal quality and food safety,” Ms. Quyet emphasized.

- Ảnh 2. — Director of the Department of Education and Training of Quang Tri province participated in a dialogue with parents of Kim Thuy Primary Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities

Director of the Department of Education and Training of Quang Tri province, Ms. Le Thi Huong, said that the Kim Ngan commune authorities have decided to temporarily suspend Ms. Do Thi Hong Hue , the Vice Principal in charge of boarding school. After 2 days of parents allowing 75 students to stay home from school to protest, the students have now returned to school. However, the parents affirmed that if Ms. Hue returns to work (after the 15-day suspension), they will continue to let their children stay home from school.

Therefore, Ms. Huong requested the People's Committee of Quang Tri province to promptly resolve the issue to stabilize teaching and learning, and at the same time recommended the Provincial Food Safety Steering Committee to inspect and rectify school kitchens.

The leader of the People's Committee of Quang Tri province said that according to decentralization, the commune government must take direct responsibility for educational establishments in the area. Mr. Hoang Nam, Standing Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Tri province, emphasized that the incident in Kim Ngan should be considered a common lesson.

“The commune People’s Committee must take the lead in resolving the issue. However, the relevant departments need to support and provide clear and transparent professional conclusions so that the commune has a basis for handling the matter, ensuring that students return to school and parents can rest assured,” Mr. Nam emphasized.

- Ảnh 3. — Kim Thuy Primary Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities

As Thanh Nien reported, on September 26, after breakfast at school, 75 students had symptoms of nausea and stomachache; of which 40 were hospitalized, 35 were monitored at home.

The incident caused outrage after information appeared on social media that Ms. Hue was suspected of preventing students from being taken to the hospital. A clip from the school's medical room further angered parents and made them lose confidence. Parents requested a change in food suppliers, catering staff, and the suspension of Ms. Hue.

On October 2, Kim Ngan commune authorities decided to temporarily suspend Ms. Hue from work for 15 days.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/vu-hoc-sinh-ngo-doc-tap-the-ra-soat-bep-an-truong-hoc-toan-tinh-quang-tri-1852510041016163.htm