After 52 patients from Andhra Pradesh were rushed to Bhadrachalam Area Hospital in Telangana’s Bhadradri Kothagudem district during an overnight medical emergency, the Polavaram district administration offered to support the Telangana hospital with medicines and drugs, recognising that nearly 40% of its patient load comes from Andhra Pradesh.
The 52 patients, including 47 children and five adults, were brought to the hospital from Gollaguppa village in Polavaram district, Andhra Pradesh, after reportedly falling ill post taking chloroquine tablets distributed during a health camp. One child was brought dead, while 12 patients tested positive for malaria.
A large number of children and adults arrived at the facility within a short period, but the hospital did not turn away patients from across the border. Despite having limited staff initially available, Bhadradri Kothagudem District Coordinator of Hospital Services (DCHS) G. Ravi Babu and Area Hospital Superintendent Rajasekhar Reddy and the hospital team immediately mobilised additional doctors and support staff who worked through the night, initiating treatment and closely monitoring the children and adults.
Polavaram District Collector K. Dinesh Kumar appreciated the Bhadrachalam Area Hospital team for extending immediate, compassionate and professional care to patients from Andhra Pradesh.
52 patients from Andhra Pradesh were rushed to Bhadrachalam Area Hospital in Telangana’s Bhadradri Kothagudem district during an overnight medical emergency
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Special Arrangement
But the response from Andhra Pradesh went beyond appreciation. The Polavaram district administration assured that medicines required by Bhadrachalam Area Hospital would be extended to the facility. Nearly 40% of its patient load comes from Andhra Pradesh, making the Bhadrachalam facility an important healthcare centre for people living in neighbouring areas of the State.
Dr. G. Ravi Babu said the incident demonstrated the strength and responsiveness of a well-coordinated public healthcare system. “For a healthcare professional, a patient’s identity is never defined by State boundaries,” he said.
