Hyderabad, Nov.5 (NSS): Minister for Environment and Forest Konda Surekha and Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar visited three tribal students at NIMS Hospital here on Tuesday.
Three tribal students of Vankidi Tribal Girls’ Residential school in Kumram Bheem Asifabad district, have been hospitalized due to food poisoning.
Both Ministers met the students’ families, reassuring them that the government is closely monitoring their health and offering emotional support.
NIMS director Dr. Beerappa, along with Head of the department of Nephrology, Dr. Gangadhar, provided the Ministers with detailed updates on the students’ health status, explaining that the students suffered severe health complications due to suspected food poisoning.
Minister Konda Surekha inquired about the ongoing treatment and urged the NIMS director to arrange special lodging and dining facilities for the patients’ families.
Minister Surekha noted that of the three students, two are showing signs of improvement, while the third remains under intensive care. She clarified that the students did not fall ill due to hostel food; instead, they reportedly became unwell after consuming snacks brought from home, as confirmed by hospital officials. None of the hostel staff, who ate the same food, showed any symptoms, reinforcing this account.
Minister Surekha added that disciplinary action would be taken if any officials are found responsible once the laboratory reports on the food samples are received.
Konda Surekha also criticised former minister Harish Rao’s remarks, stating that he was irresponsibly using this incident to tarnish the government’s image.
She emphasised the importance of understanding the facts before making statements and expressed that the Congress government is upholding high standards in hostel management since taking office.
