52 Andhra Patients Rushed to Bhadrachalam Hospital After Camp Ills
Fifty-two patients from Andhra Pradesh were rushed overnight to the Bhadrachalam Area Hospital in Telangana’s Bhadradri Kothagudem district after suddenly falling ill following the consumption of chloroquine tablets distributed during a health camp. One child was brought dead to the facility, while 12 patients tested positive for malaria.
The patients, comprising 47 children and five adults, were brought across the state border from Gollaguppa village, located in the Polavaram district of Andhra Pradesh. A large number of the affected individuals arrived at the Bhadrachalam facility within a very short window of time, creating an urgent medical emergency for the hospital staff.
Despite having limited staff initially on duty, the Telangana hospital accepted all incoming patients without turning anyone away. Bhadradri Kothagudem District Coordinator of Hospital Services (DCHS) G. Ravi Babu and Area Hospital Superintendent Rajasekhar Reddy immediately mobilised additional doctors and support staff to handle the influx. The medical teams worked throughout the night to initiate treatment and closely monitor the condition of the children and adults.
Following the overnight emergency, Polavaram District Collector K. Dinesh Kumar commended the Bhadrachalam Area Hospital medical team for extending immediate, compassionate, and professional care to the patients arriving from Andhra Pradesh.
In response to the crisis, the Polavaram district administration also pledged to supply essential medicines and drugs directly to the Bhadrachalam Area Hospital. Officials noted that the Telangana facility serves as a vital healthcare hub for communities residing in neighbouring border areas, with nearly 40% of its overall patient load routinely originating from Andhra Pradesh.
Reflecting on the cross-border medical response, Dr. Ravi Babu stated that the operation demonstrated the responsiveness and strength of a well-coordinated public healthcare system. He emphasised that for healthcare professionals, a patient's identity is never defined by state boundaries.
