hadrachalam: Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare staff at the Bhadrachalam Area Hospital drew appreciation from ministers and officials alike for their swift and coordinated response to treat 80 people, including several children, who were brought from Andhra Pradesh after falling ill recently.
The patients were brought to the hospital from Gollaguppa village in Etapaka mandal of AP’s Polavaram district on Tuesday night after they reportedly fell ill following consumption of chloroquine tablets.
The sudden arrival of a large number of patients created an emergency situation at the hospital.
While around 10 staff members were available until 7 pm, an additional 50-60 doctors, nurses and other healthcare personnel rushed to the hospital after being alerted and joined the emergency response.
Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha appreciated the Bhadrachalam Area Hospital doctors and staff for their timely response and medical services.
In a post on X, he said the medical team had responded immediately after 47 children and several adults from Gollaguppa were brought to the hospital.
The minister said the response of the medical team demonstrated that emergency and quality healthcare services were available even at government hospitals in remote areas.
Notably, the medical team worked through continuously monitoring the condition of the children and providing necessary tests and treatment.
One person died, while 13 patients were reportedly found positive for malaria.
Doctors also counselled anxious parents and assured them that their children were being closely monitored.
Polavaram District Collector Dinesh, Rampa Chodavaram MLA Sirisha, Bhadrachalam MLA Tellam Venkat Rao, and other officials visited the hospital and reviewed the condition of the patients and the arrangements made for their treatment on Thursday.
Food was also arranged for the patients and their accompanying family members through the coordination of residents and hospital authorities.
Bhadrachalam Area Hospital Superintendent Dr YS Rajasekhar Reddy added, “Every patient’s health condition was assessed and necessary tests conducted. Since every minute is crucial during an emergency, the medical team worked together.”
Meanwhile, parents expressed gratitude for timely treatment during the crisis. Rangayya, a resident of Gollaguppa, said he brought his two children to the hospital and was initially worried after seeing the large number of patients.
“The doctors’ treatment and reassuring words gave us confidence. We will never forget the services rendered by the medical team to our children,” he said.
Madakam Bujji, another parent from Gollaguppa, said she brought her 10-month-old baby to the hospital after the child fell ill. “I was worried when I saw several children undergoing treatment.
But the doctors examined my child and immediately started treatment. Their services gave us courage,” she said.
