– Minister Ramsaran
THE scores of people who suffered food poisoning last Sunday responded well to treatment and many were sent home after being treated at different health institutions. Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, made the disclosure, to the Guyana Chronicle yesterday, on the basis of a preliminary report he received.
The patients, who attended the Police ‘B’ Division Community Policing Retreat, at Berbice High School in New Amsterdam, had to seek medical attention after being served fried rice and pot roast chicken.
Minister Ramsaran also said there was no indication that the meal was deliberately poisoned chemically or otherwise and Commander of Police ‘B’ Division, Assistant Commissioner Steve Merai said they are pressing on with the investigation and he would not comment.
Mr. Dennis Pompey, of the Home Affairs Ministry, confirmed that the individuals who prepared the food were questioned by Police but he could not say whether any of them was in custody.
Ramsaran reportedly disclosed that a total of 103 persons were seen at New Amsterdam Hospital between 16:30 hrs and 23:00 hrs Sunday and 41, including four Police ranks, were admitted to wards.
He said there were no fatalities and all the admissions were treated for food poisoning but many have already been discharged.
Those affected included media personnel from the Government Information Agency (GINA), National Communications Network (NCN) and Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL), as well as representatives of Community Policing Groups (CPGs) and other members of the public.
Fifteen minutes after the food was consumed, those who ate started complaining of symptoms related to food poisoning.