Aid reaches Maguindanao food poisoning victims

COTABATO CITY — The local government of Sultan Kudarat in Maguindanao has extended financial assis-tance to about 28 victims of food poisoning.

Mayor Shameen Mastua of Sultan Kudarat town visited the victims at the Cotabato Sanitarium Hospi-tal a day after about 28 per-sons complained of severe stomach pain and loose bowel movement.

Alice Upi, one of the victims, lauded the LGU for its immediate response.

Upi said the victims from Barangay Simuay, Sultan Kudarat town are family and relatives, and went for an excursion Sunday in Kusiong Beach as part of the celebration of Eid’l Fitr or the end of fasting month of Ramad-han.

At lunch time, the family members feasted on grilled fish and macaroni salad. After lunch, some again went swimming.

However, less than 10 minutes later, almost every-body, especially children, complained simultaneously of stomach pain, vomiting and loose bowel move-ment.

“We have no other suspect but the grilled fish and the salad,” Upi recalled. “The pain was excruciat-ing, it was the first time I felt this abdominal problem,” said Sal Toh, 20, one of the victims. Toh said about 28 have complained of stomach di-sorders but only about 12 persons remained in the hospital.

Dr. Halima Romancap, attending physician of Cotabato Sanitarium Hospi-tal, said the patients were victims of food poisoning since they all ate the same food and have similar complaints.

She said the discharges of the patients have traces of bacteria known as “amoeba” and those who have low immunity suffered much.

Except for the 12, the other patients have reco-vered and returned home. Upi admitted the storage of the good which were left overs of the Eid’l Fitr celebrations could be the reason for stomach disor-ders.

Mayor Mastura said the local government will take charge of hospital bills and medicine procurement for the victims. (PNA)