VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the Gollaguppa medical emergency in Yetapaka mandal of 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.
Reviewing the situation with senior Health Department officials and Polavaram District Collector K Dinesh Kumar, the Chief Minister directed authorities to ensure the highest quality of medical treatment for all affected villagers.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that Chloroquine tablets were administered to 71 residents in Gollaguppa, which has a population of 253, following which several people experienced drug reactions.
Tragically, seven-year-old Madivi Jamuna, a Class 2 student at the local GPS school, succumbed during treatment at Bhadrachalam Area Hospital.
Currently, 29 patients—including children and adults—are undergoing treatment at the Bhadrachalam hospital in neighbouring Telangana, while another 24 individuals are being treated at the Laxmipuram Primary Health Centre (PHC).
Reassuring the public, the Collector stated in an official release on Tuesday that the situation is under control and the health status of all hospitalised patients remains stable.
“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,” Dinesh Kumar confirmed, scuttling rumours of any further casualties.
Under the Collector’s instructions, Chintoor ITDA Project Officer Shubham Nokwal and Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) 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.
A nine-member specialist team from Kakinada Government General Hospital (GGH) has also been dispatched to oversee field operations.
Ordering a thorough probe to fix responsibility, Chief Minister Naidu emphasised that health teams must remain on high alert and closely monitor the entire village until normalcy returns.