Students in manabi face problems with those affected by the medications from the Ministry of Health

Around 180 students, of ‘Patria Ecuatoriana’ school, located in Tres Rios, of the 24 of may canton, in the province of Manabi, were affectated, allegedly for the consumption of a pill to prevent leptospirosis, which was delivered last Wednesday by staff of the Ministry of Public Health (MSP).

Hector Pluas, Rector of the institution, said that since yesterday morning, some students began to feel certain ailments, such as headaches, chills, dizziness, and vomiting, and added that even four of the affected had convulsions.

Since the access to the area is difficult, teachers failed to evacuate the students in time. Young people, were ultimately moved in trucks, cars and ambulances to the Verdi Cevallos Balda HOSPITAL and District 4 (Sucre) Health Center.

Fernando Rodríguez, emergency doctor of the Verdi Cevallos hospital, said that what happened  was an irritation in the stomach of the students produced by the consumption of medication, a side effect that was indicated within the medical provisions, and even worse  in the case of one of the patients who came to this health centre suffering from gastritis.

The students who went to the hospital, serums and drugs for gastric protection were administered, as confirmed by Gene Alarcon, director of the hospital Verdi Cevallos Balda.

Yesterday, the Governor of Manabi, Susana Dueñas, and the Coordinator of health for Manabi and Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas, Carminia Pinargote, moved to Sucre, the cantonal head of 24 of may, to meet the emergency.