Grade 4 Student Dies After Alleged School Deworming Sparks Outrage
DEWORMING – A family’s search for answers continues after their young son passed away following a school deworming activity, raising questions about the procedure and its implementation.
A Grade 4 pupil from Trece Martires City, Cavite, has died after allegedly being given deworming medicine by his class adviser, prompting his grieving parents to seek justice and call for a thorough investigation into the incident.
According to reports, the alleged incident took place on July 2, while the child passed away the following day, July 3, after being rushed to the hospital.
Based on the account of the victim’s mother, it was the class adviser who personally administered the deworming medicine to her child. She also acknowledged that she had signed a waiver allowing her child to participate in the school’s deworming activity.
The mother explained that in previous years, students were usually sent home with the deworming medicine, and parents were responsible for giving it to their children. However, she said the procedure was different this year, with the medicine allegedly being administered at school.
She recalled receiving a message on July 2 informing her that her son wanted to go home early because he had developed a headache and started vomiting after taking the deworming medicine. His condition reportedly worsened as he later experienced fever and severe stomach pain.
Alarmed by his symptoms, the family decided to rush him to the hospital, where he eventually died after several hours of medical treatment.
The victim’s parents suspect that their son may not have been able to tolerate the effects of the medicine. They claimed they were informed that the children had allegedly been given a 400-milligram dose, which they believe may have contributed to the tragedy.
Following the incident, the school’s principal reportedly instructed the victim’s class adviser not to report for work temporarily. The child’s parents expressed disappointment, saying the teacher had not communicated with them after the incident.
The family is also requesting that an autopsy be conducted to determine the exact cause of their son’s death.
In a separate statement, the victim’s school assured the public that it would fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
“Should there be any ensuing legal processes and inquiries to be conducted by the duly constituted authroties in connection with the instant controversy, the DepEd Cavite Province officials, employees and personnel shall not shrink form our responsibilities and sworn duties,” they said.
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