CM Naidu Orders Probe Into 52 Falling Sick, Girl Dying After Taking Chloroquine Tablets
Soon after learning about the incident late on Tuesday night, the CM spoke to senior health officials and Polavaram district collector K. Dinesh Kumar and took stock of the situation.
Vijayawada: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has ordered an inquiry into the death of a seven-year-old Class 2 student and 52 people falling ill after being administered chloroquine tablets at Golaguppa village in Polavaram district.
Soon after learning about the incident late on Tuesday night, the CM spoke to senior health officials and Polavaram district collector K. Dinesh Kumar and took stock of the situation.
Officials informed Naidu that chloroquine tablets had been distributed following detection of malaria cases in the village in recent days. After taking the tablets, 52 people developed symptoms including vomiting, headache and a reeling sensation. They have been shifted to the Area Hospital in Bhadrachalam in Telangana for treatment.
The Chief Minister directed officials to provide better treatment to those affected.
Polavaram district health authorities said fever surveillance is being conducted in the agency area, which had reported a rise in malaria cases. Four malaria-positive cases had been detected on August 31 and three more on September 1, taking the total to seven in two days.
Following the increase in malaria cases, health personnel distributed chloroquine tablets in the village. They ensured that people took the tablets after having their food. Villagers have been prescribed different dosages. Syrup has been given to children below 10 years of age.
After distributing the tablets, health staff started returning from the hilltop village on Tuesday evening, when a local ASHA worker informed the staff that a seven-year-old girl had become unconscious. The health personnel returned, provided assistance and called an ambulance to shift her to the Area Hospital in Bhadrachalam. However, the girl died before the ambulance could reach the hospital.
In all, around 52 persons, including children, have fallen sick after taking the chloroquine tablets. They have been shifted for treatment to the Area Hospital in Bhadrachalam.
Senior health officials informed the Chief Minister that medical teams from Rajamahendravaram, Kakinada, Paderu, Eluru and Vijayawada have been rushed on Wednesday to the village, which has a population of 275. Door-to-door medical tests are being conducted using Rapid Diagnostic Kits for malaria, high blood pressure and other health issues. Medical camps have also been established in the village.
Polavaram district medical and health officer (DMHO) Dr. P. Saritha said, “Out of the 52 persons admitted to the Area Hospital in Bhadrachalam, 30 have been discharged after recovery. The situation in the village is also under control, though surveillance is continuing. We will take up another round of fever surveys on Thursday.”
Polavaram district collector K. Dinesh Kumar said the district administration is continuously monitoring the situation and providing necessary medical assistance. He said there is no need for panic.
Health experts say chloroquine should be administered in a suitable dosage based on body weight and age and after food. They said that in the Golaguppa incident, health personnel might have overlooked the norm on dosage, which might have resulted in reaction. Health condition of the villagers could also have triggered the reaction.
