Andhra Pradesh Orders Inquiry into Polavaram Medical Emergency
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu ordered a comprehensive inquiry into a medical emergency in Gollaguppa village, Yetapaka mandal, Polavaram district, according to state government bulletins. A seven-year-old girl, Madivi Jamuna, a Class 2 student, died after falling ill following the administration of anti-malarial chloroquine tablets, per multiple news reports.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, when health officials administered chloroquine tablets to 71 residents of Gollaguppa village as a preventive measure against malaria, according to Chinturu assistant tribal welfare officer Tulasi Das. Following the drug distribution, several people experienced adverse reactions, including vomiting, per local health updates.
Twenty-nine patients, including children and adults, are undergoing treatment at Bhadrachalam Area Hospital in neighboring Telangana, according to Polavaram District Collector K. Dinesh Kumar. Another 24 individuals are being treated at the Lakshmipuram Primary Health Centre, per district administration records. The total number of people who fell ill is reported to be between 70 and 75, according to official district tallies. Gollaguppa village is a tribal settlement in the Polavaram Agency area, with a population of 253, per local administration records.
Medical Response and Hospitalization Status
Polavaram District Collector K. Dinesh Kumar stated, "The situation is under control and the health status of all hospitalised patients remains stable." District Collector K. Dinesh Kumar refuted rumors of further casualties, noting that patients are receiving supervised medical care.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to ensure the highest quality of medical treatment for all affected villagers and ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident, according to the Chief Minister's office. Three specialized medical teams from the state level, Kakinada, and Rajahmundry, along with three pediatricians, have arrived at Gollaguppa to set up a dedicated medical camp and conduct continuous screenings, per health department briefings. A nine-member specialist team from Kakinada Government General Hospital has also been dispatched, according to state medical bulletins.
Malaria screening was conducted by staff at the local health centre on September 1, and some residents tested positive before chloroquine tablets were administered, per official reports. Another girl, Paddam Roja, reportedly died last Friday, August 28, 2026, following a similar illness, though this could not be independently verified immediately, according to field reports.
Local Grievances and Healthcare Context
Local residents alleged that the Lakshmipuram Primary Health Centre lacked adequate doctors and beds to handle the sudden influx of patients, according to community grievances. Tribal organizations are demanding immediate intervention by the district administration and a medical investigation to ascertain the exact cause of deaths and illness, per organizational statements.
Polavaram district has seen increasing malaria cases, with 1,320 cases in 2024, 1,832 in 2025, and 1,486 cases reported so far in 2026, according to public health data. India has a goal of achieving a malaria-free country by 2027 and elimination by 2030, with support from the World Health Organization for accelerating elimination activities, per national health strategy guidelines.
The exact cause of Madivi Jamuna's death is currently under investigation, and the specific batch number or manufacturer of the chloroquine tablets, detailed medical reports on the condition of all affected patients, and independent confirmation of Paddam Roja's death and its link to the drug distribution have not been publicly disclosed in official medical reports.
