By Prince J Musa in Kenema
A 1-year-old girl has died and 81 other people, mostly children, have been admitted to the Kenema Government Hospital after a suspected incident of food poisoning, hospital sources have confirmed. They all attended the graduation party of a nursery pupil who’d made it to primary school.
Those hospitalized had either become unconscious or complained of some illness. The deceased, who also attended the party, was said to have died at home and not at the hospital
According to a police report, one Amie Konneh of Nyandeyama section in Kenema organized a graduation party for her daughter, Alima Konneh who has completed her nursery education this academic year.
The report stated that the party attracted over eighty-four (84) people who had food and drinks such as rice with chicken, party cake, ginger beer, and soft drinks. They then started complaining feeling of discomforts, weakness, whilst others became unconscious.
Speaking on the incident at the hospital’s premise on Wednesday 2022, the District Medical Superintendent, Dr. Ibrahim Kapuwa said seventy-nine (81) patients were admitted. Eighty-six (86) percent of those admitted were female and fourteen (14) percent of them male.
He explained that most of the patients came in looking weak whilst others were unconscious, but he was quick to state that they are yet to record any fatality.
Dr. Kapuwa cautioned the public to be careful with what they eat and those they interact with in their communities.
The District Medical Officer at Kenema Government Hospital Dr. Donald Samuel Grant stated that at the initial stage of the incident, they were able to send surveillance officers in the community to ascertain first-hand information on how the tragedy occurred by collecting the remaining foodstuff. He said they have taken blood and urine samples from the patients admitted, for examination.
“Within the hospital, we have not recorded any case of death,” said DMO Grant.
He confirmed the baby was brought to the hospital already dead and that all the patients are responding to treatment, He said the hospital will continue to do its service delivery to the public, and warned the community to be careful of their surroundings.
He confirmed that they are dealing with suspected food poisoning but that further medical screening will be done in Freetown for more diagnosis, adding that the hospital has competent personnel and accommodation to take care of the patients properly. He said doctors and nurses have been busy since the affected people began showing up at the hospital.
Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation, Princess Dugba expressed appreciation to the health workers in Kenema for their selfless service and also commended Medicine San Frontiers for the support given to the hospital.
According to the police investigation into the incident is ongoing after already having visited the scene and conducted searches at the residence of Mamusu Kamara who prepared the party cake.
“The leftover rice that was served at the party, seven white cups with droplets of substance suspected to be ginger, a can of soft drink, and the remaining items that were used in the preparation of the cake were all collected and subsequently handed over to the Medical Superintendent of Kenema Government hospital,” the Police report reads.
