Andhra Pradesh CM orders inquiry after girl dies, 53 fall ill following anti-malaria drug distribution

Inquiry Ordered After Villagers Fall Ill Following Drug Distribution

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has ordered a comprehensive inquiry into a medical emergency in Gollaguppa village in Polavaram district, where a seven-year-old girl died and 53 residents fell ill after anti-malarial Chloroquine tablets were distributed as a preventive measure.

The incident came to light after the girl, identified by The New Indian Express as Madivi Jamuna, a Class 2 student at the local GPS school, succumbed during treatment at Bhadrachalam Area Hospital in neighbouring Telangana.

According to officials, chloroquine tablets were administered to 71 residents of Gollaguppa, which has a population of 253, following which several people experienced adverse reactions.

Medical Response and Hospitalisations

Following the incident, 29 patients, including children and adults, were taken to the Bhadrachalam Area Hospital in neighbouring Telangana for treatment, while another 24 individuals are being treated at the Laxmipuram Primary Health Centre (PHC), The Hindu reported.

A medical camp was set up in the village immediately after authorities learnt about the incident, and medical examinations were conducted on residents. Three specialised medical teams from the state level, Kakinada, and Rajahmundry, along with three paediatricians, have arrived at Gollaguppa to set up a dedicated medical camp and conduct continuous screenings, Polavaram District Collector K. Dinesh Kumar said in an official release on Tuesday.

A nine-member specialist team from Kakinada Government General Hospital (GGH) has also been dispatched, and Collector Dinesh Kumar told The Hindu that three more specialised teams had left from Vijayawada, Rajamahendravaram and Kakinada.

Government and Official Response

Chief Minister Naidu, late on Tuesday, spoke to senior officials of the Health and Medical Department and the district Collector to ascertain the facts and directed them to ensure the best possible medical treatment for all those affected, The Hindu reported. He also emphasised that health teams must remain on high alert, according to The New Indian Express.

Officials said the health condition of all the patients was stable and clarified that reports claiming two deaths were untrue. The Collector also stated that the situation is under control and the health status of all hospitalised patients remains stable, while scuttling rumours of any further casualties.

Under the Collector's instructions, Chintoor ITDA Project Officer Shubham Nokwal and Assistant Superintendent of Police B Hemanth inspected Bandirevu and spoke to villagers. ITDA PO Nokwal also visited both the Bhadrachalam Area Hospital and the Laxmipuram PHC late Tuesday night to review medical arrangements with attending doctors, The New Indian Express reported.