The state government says only eight students remained under medical care after at least 64 students developed adverse reactions during a Bilharzia prevention exercise at Government Science Secondary School, Batagarawa.
The Katsina State Government has announced significant improvement in the health conditions of students affected by adverse reactions during a Bilharzia treatment and prevention exercise at Government Science Secondary School, Batagarawa, with more than 80 per cent discharged and returned to school.
The Commissioner for Health, Musa Adamu Funtua, disclosed this in an interview with Channels Television on Wednesday, noting that only eight students remained under medical care as of Wednesday morning during his visit to Ahmadi Rimi Specialist Hospital. He added that only one student was receiving intravenous treatment after being diagnosed with malaria.
Funtua explained that preliminary findings suggested a possible gap between breakfast and the administration of the medication, but stressed that a committee had been established to investigate the exact cause of the incident. He said the affected students were promptly evacuated to hospitals following reports of their symptoms, which included vomiting, abdominal discomfort and dizziness.
At least 64 students were affected during the exercise organised by Primary Health Care authorities in collaboration with Batagarawa Local Government. They were taken to Ahmadi Rimi Specialist Hospital and Turai Yar’Adua Maternal and Child Hospital for treatment.
The Medical Director of Ahmadi Rimi Specialist Hospital, Dr Auwal Sani, had earlier disclosed that some students arrived unconscious but responded positively to medical intervention. He also explained that the medication was administered according to the students’ height to determine the appropriate dosage.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Yusuf Sulaiman Jibia, said the affected students had recovered and arrangements had been made for their return to school.
The state government assured parents and residents that it would implement recommendations from the ongoing investigation to prevent a recurrence, while maintaining that Bilharzia prevention programmes remain an important public health intervention.