SUBSEQUENT to the discovery of spoilt milk being delivered to the Diamond Hospital, the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GAF&DD) has confirmed that investigations are underway into the matter.During a telephone interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday, Head of the GAF&DD, Marlan Cole, disclosed that, “we have gotten hold of samples of the spoilt milk from the importer’s bond and the Ministry’s bond, which we brought for examination and analysis, and discovered other problems with the milk.”When asked about the quantity of milk that was spoilt, the Director could not say as he is awaiting the submission of the report from the probe.
As such a report, he said, was drafted and investigations are underway, as well as consultations with the Ministries of Public Health and Business to decide on the way forward for the proprietor who supplied the milk.
Cole also pointed out that, this is not the first time they have received complaints of this kind, however, in the past they were inundated with other issues and could not have dealt with it at that time.
Meanwhile, a source from the hospital said that, a few persons fell ill after drinking the milk, but were treated immediately, after which the report was made to the GAF&DD. Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton told a section of the media that he was made aware of the situation on the same day, but was not fully briefed on what transpired. Stating, however, that all the milk was confiscated and the spoilt ones have been destroyed, “I know for a fact that this milk was destroyed because it was found to have larva inside,” the Minister revealed.