The Gauteng health department has sounded a clarion call for parents and guardians to take it upon themselves to educate children on what not to consume as the number of deaths by poison ingestion reach alarming levels.
This week, health and wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said the province has recorded 207 food poisoning cases since the beginning of February, resulting in 10 deaths.
The department expressed concern about the surge in the number of food poisoning cases affecting children, particularly in townships, informal settlements and hostel communities.
We should all be concerned about the high frequency of poisonings and children’s exposure to risky environments. Children should not bear the brunt of the low socioeconomic circumstances they find themselves in. A concerted effort is urgently required to ensure the safety of children wherever they find themselves.
On Thursday it was reported that two boys from Ekurhuleni — siblings aged four and six — died after they succumbed to suspected food-borne illness. They had allegedly shared food. The four-year-old was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital while his six-year-old brother was unresponsive, foaming at the mouth and nostrils, and eventually succumbed to his illness.
“Another three-year-old boy, who is a cousin of the two, was brought to the hospital with them, even though he did not consume the same food, and was discharged after observation as he remained asymptomatic.
“On the same night, in a separate incident, three children aged three, five and six from Vosloorus were brought to Jabulani Dumane CHC with symptoms of vomiting and body weakness,” said Motalatale Modiba, Gauteng health spokesperson.
The six-year-old remains in a critical condition.
Research tells us children living in poorer conditions are more likely to be exposed to common poisons such as pesticides, alcohol, cosmetics, medicine, flammable liquids and other household products.
Poor provision of safe play areas can also increase their risk as they end up playing in unsafe environments.
According to the department, the Ekurhuleni district recorded the most incidents with 119 cases and four deaths, followed by Johannesburg with 40 cases. Tshwane had 31 cases resulting in three deaths, while the West Rand district had 14 cases and Sedibeng district had three cases and three deaths.
Nkomo-Ralehoko said they are working closely with multiple stakeholders and the Gauteng department of education to heighten awareness in townships, informal settlements and hostel communities and conduct health education sessions in schools targeting learners, school vendors.
“These sessions focus on the importance of hand hygiene, proper food handling and preparation, water hygiene, clean environments, sanitation and food expiry dates among other topics,” she said.
The department also raised concern about the lack of enforcement of bylaws by municipalities to ensure that local shops complied with hygiene standards to avoid potential contamination of food items.
Caregivers are advised to exercise caution and always put harmful substances out of reach of children. Educate them on the dangers of taking medicine without supervision, or accessing pills and consuming them. They are advised to dispose of flammable liquids and pesticides and encourage children to play in a safe environment.
There is also a need for awareness about how to detect whether a child has ingested a poisonous substance to ensure swift medical response.
A collective effort is required to ensure that caregivers are readily aware of dangers and how to prevent them. We call on law enforcers to ensure that those who sell food to children are doing so within the ambits of health standards.
Child protection should not be negotiated and does not only lie in the hands of parents, but with everyone dealing with children.
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