As many as 43 students of an Eklavya Model Residential School in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district were hospitalised after suffering vomiting and diarrhoea, triggering an investigation into suspected food or water contamination at the school hostel.
A health emergency unfolded at the Eklavya Model Residential School in Jagana village of Banaskantha district when dozens of students began falling ill within hours of consuming their midday meal at the hostel.
The affected children complained of acute diarrhoea, vomiting, and weakness, prompting immediate medical intervention.
According to district officials, the first cases were reported around 5:30 pm on Monday, January 19, when 10 girl students were rushed to a nearby Primary Health Centre (PHC).
As similar symptoms surfaced among more students overnight and into Tuesday, the situation escalated, with a total of 43 children-38 girls and five boys-requiring hospitalisation.
All affected students were shifted to the general hospital in Palanpur, the district headquarters, where they remain under medical observation.
Doctors have stated that while the students were dehydrated and distressed on arrival, their condition has since stabilised following timely treatment.
Officials Response
District epidemic officer Dr Bharmal Patel confirmed that the incident was being treated as a case of suspected food or water poisoning. “The students developed symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea shortly after consuming food at the hostel. Our teams responded immediately once the PHC informed us,” he said.
Health officials from the district administration, along with the Gujarat Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA), visited the school premises soon after the incident was reported. Samples of cooked food, raw ingredients, drinking water, and water used in the kitchen were collected for laboratory testing.
In addition, stool and blood samples from several affected students have been sent for analysis to identify possible bacterial or viral pathogens. “Only after laboratory results are received can we confirm whether the contamination was food-borne or water-borne,” an official from the health department stated.
Residential School Under Scrutiny
The Eklavya Model Residential School caters primarily to students from Scheduled Tribe communities and operates as a fully residential institution. As such, it bears complete responsibility for students’ nutrition, hygiene, and healthcare.
Authorities are now examining whether there were lapses in food preparation, storage, water purification, or kitchen sanitation at the hostel. Preliminary inquiries are also focusing on whether water sources at the campus were recently tested and whether food handlers followed prescribed safety protocols.
Officials have not ruled out negligence and stated that responsibility will be fixed once investigation reports are submitted. “If any violation of food safety norms is found, strict action will be taken,” a senior district official said.
Parents Anxious, Reassured by Officials
News of the incident triggered anxiety among parents, many of whom travelled from nearby villages to Palanpur hospital upon hearing that their children had been hospitalised. Some parents expressed concern over the lack of immediate communication from the school administration.
District authorities have since assured families that all students are receiving appropriate medical care and that there is no cause for panic. Hospital officials confirmed that no fatalities have been reported and that most students are responding well to treatment.
Counselling support has also been extended to affected children, given the distress caused by the sudden illness and hospitalisation.
Incident Revives Broader Concerns Over Institutional Safety
The Gujarat incident comes close on the heels of deaths reported in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore district, where contaminated drinking water was blamed for a spate of illnesses and fatalities.
Together, these episodes have renewed concerns over food and water safety management in government-run institutions, particularly those catering to children.
Public health experts have repeatedly warned that lapses in sanitation, irregular testing of water sources, and inadequate training of kitchen staff can have serious consequences, especially in residential schools where children consume all their meals on campus.
Despite existing guidelines under the Midday Meal Scheme and residential school regulations, enforcement often remains inconsistent, particularly in remote or tribal regions.
Need for Preventive Systems, Not Reactive Measures
While the prompt medical response in Banaskantha may have prevented a tragedy, experts argue that such incidents underline the urgent need for preventive systems rather than reactive crisis management.
Regular water quality testing, third-party food safety audits, proper storage facilities, and continuous monitoring of kitchen hygiene are essential safeguards. Equally important is transparent communication with parents and communities when such incidents occur.
Child rights advocates stress that children from marginalised backgrounds should not bear the brunt of administrative negligence. “Residential schools are meant to be spaces of safety and opportunity, not risk,” one activist remarked.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The hospitalisation of 43 students over suspected food or water poisoning is not just an isolated incident-it is a reminder of systemic vulnerabilities in institutions entrusted with children’s care.
While swift medical intervention deserves acknowledgment, accountability and prevention must follow with equal urgency.
Ensuring safe food and clean water is not a privilege but a fundamental right, especially for children living away from their families in residential schools. Investigations must lead to corrective action, not just reports and reassurances.
