Parents seek probe into Grade 4 student's death after school deworming

The parents of a Grade 4 learner from Hugo Perez Elementary School-Annex in Trece Martires City, Cavite are seeking an investigation into their son’s death after he fell ill following a school deworming activity.

In a report by Vonne Aquino on Unang Balita on Monday, the boy’s mother, Rutchie Galero, recalled that her son, Rex, went home from school early on July 2 after complaining that he felt sick.

“Nu'ng 11:30, nagsabi na siya sa akin, ‘Mama, half day ako.’ 'Bakit ka magha-half day?' Sabi niya, ‘Nasusuka ako’ kasi uminom daw siya, pinainom daw siya ni Ma’am niya ng pampapurga. Sabi ko, 'Kailan?' ‘Pagkatapos, Mama, ng recess,’” Galero said.

(At around 11:30 a.m., he told me, “Mom, I’ll go on half day.” I asked why, and he said, “I’m feeling nauseous because my teacher gave me deworming medicine.” I asked when he took it, and he said, “After recess, Mom.”)

Galero said Rex was brought to a clinic the following day before doctors advised that he be transferred to a hospital after his condition worsened.

“Pagdating po doon, sunod-sunod na, hanggang sa 50-50 na siya. Wala na. Sabi po ng doktor, patay na po siya. Tinigilan na pong doktor 'yung pagre-revive niya pero lumalaban siya, Ma’am.”

(When we got there, everything happened one after another until his condition became critical. The doctor said he had already died and stopped reviving him, but he was still fighting.)

She said losing her son has been devastating.

“Masakit talaga mawalan ng anak.”

(It’s really painful to lose a child.)

According to Rex’s death certificate, the immediate cause of death was septic shock due to a central nervous system infection.

His parents, however, believe he may have been given an excessive dose of deworming medicine.

“Masakit para sa akin kasi hindi ko naman talaga alam ’yon na papainumin anak ko. Kasi kung alam ko lang pong doktor, ’di ko ’yan papainom kasi sobrang lusog ’yan," said his father, Leo Mission.

(It’s painful for me because I didn’t know they would give my child medicine. If I had known, doctor, I wouldn’t have allowed him to take it because he was perfectly healthy.)

The family said Rex was supposed to be buried last Saturday but postponed the funeral to allow an autopsy to be conducted.

They also plan to seek the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and file complaints against those they believe may be responsible for the child’s death.

According to the report, the family said the mayor had attempted to mediate between them and Rex’s teacher.

GMA News has reached out to the school principal and the teacher for comment but has yet to receive a response.

DepEd

In a statement on Monday, the Department of Education (DepEd) expressed condolences to the learner’s family and the school community.

DepEd said the school conducted a routine deworming activity on July 2 in coordination with the Trece Martires City Health Office, after which several learners reportedly felt unwell.

The department said the Grade 4 learner was hospitalized on July 3 after experiencing vomiting.

“Based on initial medical findings, the cause of death was linked to an infection that led to septic shock,” DepEd said.

The agency added that it is working closely with health authorities as they investigate the incident and is reviewing its health and safety protocols.

DepEd also urged the public to rely on verified information from health authorities while the investigation is ongoing. —KG, GMA News