Niël Terblanché
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has launched an in-depth investigation into the death of nine members of the same household who reportedly consumed poisoned porridge.
The tragedy occurred last Friday after 18 people who live at the Kayova Village in the Nyanga District of the Kavango East Region ate porridge made from a combination of mahangu flour and the fermented sediment from a homemade beer known as mundevere.
The victims ranged in ages from two to 33 and only one person out of the 18 did not show any signs of poisoning.
According to Ben Nangombe, the Executive Director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, the 17 affected members of the household presented at Nyangana District Hospital, Kavango East on 27 May 2023, with signs and symptoms of food poisoning.
“Due to their critical illness, 13 people were referred to Rundu Intermediate Hospital. Unfortunately, nine persons died,” he said
According to Nangombe, two people passed away at Nyangana District Hospital and seven at the Rundu Intermediate Hospital.
He said a 16-year-old boy, a 13-year-old boy, a twelve-year-old girl, a nine-year-old boy, three six-year-old girls, a three-year-old girl and a pair of two-year-old boys died as a result of the poisoning.
He said that five other members of the household are still in critical condition while two others are in stable clinical condition. The eighth person was initially discharged but was readmitted after experiencing a relapse of symptoms.
“All the patients are being monitored closely. Additional blood samples were also taken to test for possible alcohol poisoning,” Nangombe said.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has deployed a team of social workers to provide psychosocial support and counselling to the bereaved family since the terrible death of the nine members of the household was reported to health officials.
“Officials from the ministry will provide health education to members of the community on food preparation practices and the dangers of mixing food with materials that are potentially contaminated,” Nangombe said.
He said the ministry urges members of the public to take all the necessary precautions to avoid food poisoning.
Nangombe said people should always wash pots and other cooking utensils with soap and clean water and store food in a safe place to prevent access by rodents and other vermin.
He urged households to maintain general cleanliness and personal hygiene and to keep raw and cooked foods separate
According to Nangombe, it is illegal to serve alcoholic products to children under the age of 18 years.
He urged people to report any suspected food poisoning to the nearest health authorities and to seek medical attention immediately when suspecting food poisoning from a health facility.
In the meantime, post-mortem examinations will be done on all the deceased victims to determine the actual cause of their demise.
