Sangrur: Around 250 people reportedly fell ill after consuming food at a wedding function in Moonak area of Sangrur district. Soon after eating the food served at the ceremony, guests began suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea.
Several patients were admitted to the government hospital in Moonak, while others were shifted to private hospitals. Some patients were also admitted to hospitals in Tohana, Fatehabad district of Haryana.
Women, children and elderly people were among those affected. Due to the sudden rush of patients, beds at the Moonak government hospital were filled, forcing hospital staff to lay mattresses on the floor for treatment.
The health department has collected food samples from the wedding function and sent them for laboratory testing.
Panic After Dozens Reach Hospital Together
The matter came to light when 81 people reached the Moonak government hospital seeking treatment. After receiving information about the incident, Punjab Cabinet Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal visited the hospital and enquired about the condition of the patients.
Former minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa also reached the hospital.
Residents said the wedding function was held on Tuesday afternoon at a dharamshala in Moonak. Patient Radheshyam said many people who attended the function fell sick after eating the food served there.
Guests Suspect Food Quality and Contaminated Curd
Patient Maggu Singh alleged that the food prepared at the wedding was not fit for consumption. He claimed that nearly 250 people became ill and many were admitted to private hospitals in Haryana.
“Whoever ate the food became sick. The matter should be properly investigated,” he said.
A woman whose sister fell ill said the situation at the hospital was chaotic. She alleged that nursing students were administering injections and claimed sanitation arrangements at the hospital were poor.
She also claimed that many people became seriously ill after consuming curd served at the function.
Hospital Faces Pressure Due to Sudden Influx of Patients
The Senior Medical Officer (SMO) of Moonak hospital said the hospital’s capacity was limited and handling such a large number of patients at once created difficulties.
According to the SMO, 81 patients were admitted to the hospital, of which 61 were still under treatment while 10 had been discharged. Patients in serious condition were referred to higher medical centres.
Minister Orders Round-the-Clock Monitoring
Cabinet Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said he was deeply saddened after learning that hundreds of people fell ill after eating food at the wedding ceremony.
He stated that medical teams from Lehra, Sangrur, Bhawanigarh, Kauhrian and Patiala were immediately sent to the Moonak government hospital. The Civil Surgeon, SDM, DSP and other officials were instructed to remain on duty round the clock and closely monitor the situation.
The minister added that three ambulances had been kept on alert mode for emergencies and discussions were also held with the Health Director to ensure there was no shortage in treatment facilities.
Demand for Strict Action Against Food Adulteration
The minister assured that proper treatment was being provided to all patients and said no negligence would be tolerated in the medical care of the affected people.
He also stressed the need for stricter laws against food adulteration, especially in milk and other food products, to prevent such incidents in the future.
The Punjab government, he said, would take the matter seriously and ensure appropriate action after investigation.