Nearly 50 students fall ill after consuming iron tablets

Nearly 50 students of a primary school here today fell ill after consuming iron tablets under a newly launched government scheme to combat anaemia.

Over 20 students complaining of stomach ache, nausea and vomiting after consuming the tablets in Ading village were admitted to hospital by the school, Chief Medical Officer B S Yadav said.

The remaining students who fell ill were taken home by their parents, who got them treated by private doctors, Yadav said.

The distribution of tablets among the rest of the students was stopped as soon as the first batch of students started complaining that they are not feeling well, he said.
The CMO said consuming the tablets on an empty stomach was the reason behind the students falling ill.

"The iron tablets should not be taken without eating anything before," Yadav said, adding that it is not life-threatening.

He said there will be an investigation as to why mid-day meal was not given before distributing the tablets and responsibility will be fixed accordingly.