Girl of seven dies after taking anti-malaria tablet, nearly 50 under treatment

HYDERABAD: A seven-year-old girl died after taking chloroquine tablets distributed for fighting malaria. The dead has been identified as seven-year-old Madivi Jamuna, a Class 2 student who had been undergoing treatment. The incident happened in Gollaguppa village in Polavaram of Andhra Pradesh. Reports say 52 others who took the tablets are presently undergoing treatment.

A detailed investigation has been started in the incident. Chloroquine tablets for malaria prevention were distributed to around 70 people in the village. Several people started experiencing discomfort after taking the tablets. Following that, 29 people were admitted to hospitals in Telangana, while 24 others were admitted to a nearby health centre. District Collector Dinesh Kumar said that the condition of those undergoing treatment is satisfactory and that there is no need for concern.

A special team comprising three child welfare experts has been deployed in the area, and a medical camp has been set up in the village. A medical team from Kakinada Government General Hospital has reached the village. Three more medical teams from Vijayawada, Rajamahendravaram and Kakinada will also arrive there.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to ensure the best possible treatment for the patients. He also ordered a detailed investigation into the incident. The chief minister spoke with the officials of the health department and the district collector and sought details regarding the circumstances under which the tablets were distributed, the treatment being provided to the patients and their health condition.

Chloroquine is an antiparasitic drug used for the treatment of malaria and in malaria prevention programmes. Several villagers began experiencing discomfort after taking the tablets. However, it has not yet been confirmed that chloroquine was the cause of the seven-year-old girl's death.