About 15 pupils from Versteende Woud Primary School were rushed to Khorixas District Hospital yesterday after they complained of abdominal cramps and diarrhoea.
The majority of the pupils who fell ill yesterday reside at Eddie Bowe Primary School hostel.
Executive director of education, arts and culture Sanet Steenkamp yesterday confirmed that 15 pupils were taken to hospital.
“Eleven pupils were discharged and four are under doctors’ supervision. Thirteen pupils are from Versteende Woud Primary School and two are from Eddie Bowe Primary School,” she said.
The school is currently drafting a report on the incident.
Helena Kamati, whose son lives with her at home and also fell ill, yesterday said: “My son was well at home yesterday, and in the morning he didn’t even complain of any pain before he went to school. Perhaps he got sick at school.”
Some of the affected pupils The Namibian spoke to at the hospital yesterday said they fell ill at school.
Lungameni Matheus, the chief matron at Eddie Bowe Primary School hostel, said the hostel is still waiting for a hospital report.
He said the hostel boarders did not complain of pain or being sick on Sunday, and that the food they were served were not off.
“No rotten food was served. We didn’t suspect anything wrong with the food,” he said.
On Sunday, hostel boarders were served oats, two slices of bread and tea in the morning. For lunch they had pumpkin, chicken and rice, while dinner was two slices of bread, egg and tea.
Eddie Bowe Primary School hostel accommodates 299 boarders.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
