Tribune News Network
Doha
Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health on Sunday released a statement suggesting “exposure to chemicals or (an) insecticide” as the reason for the recent deaths of two children of a Keralite-nurse couple in Doha.
Kerala-based Mathrubhumi newspaper identified the children as three-and-a-half-year-old Ridu and seven-month-old Rida. According to the report, they were rushed to a hospital in Qatar along with their parents — identified only as Haris and Shameema — a few days ago. The parents are believed to be out of danger.
Following similar reports in the Asian media, the Ministry of Public Health opened an investigation, sending an epidemiological team for investigation.
They carried out established procedures in cooperation with the Hamad Medical Corporation medical team.
The Ministry of Public Health stressed that it received no reports of food poisoning through the Department of Communicable Disease Control hotline.
Pending the completion of the final procedures from all sides, precautionary measures were taken at the family residence to ensure the health and safety of everyone.
The Ministry of Public Health said it regretted the incident and offered condolences to the family of the two children.
The restaurant, where the family reportedly ate before they fell ill, has posted a statement on its Facebook page saying, “We heard an unfortunate incident connected to our restaurant. Our prayers are with the family. We are sure it has nothing to do with our food. We serve more than 500 customers per day. We trust in law of Qatar and it's judiciary. Rest assured we are open to any investigation that may be required. We request our customers not to lose the trust on us until the investigation is complete.
Our Bin Mahmoud branch is temporarily closed in order to cooperate with the authorities. We will keep you posted for any updates.”
