A special ward has been designated at Guntur Government General Hospital specifically for Turakapalem residents.
Published Sep 06, 2025 | 1:14 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 06, 2025 | 1:14 PM
Minister in the village.(supplied)
Synopsis: The probe is examining multiple potential causes, including poor sanitation, contaminated water sources, and possible infectious diseases. Officials are now implementing comprehensive health checks for all villagers, including kidney function tests, diabetes screening, and blood pressure monitoring.
A cluster of 23 deaths in Turakapalem village, Guntur Rural Mandal, has prompted a government probe and emergency health response, with Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav personally visiting the affected community to oversee relief medical efforts.
The deaths occurred over a two-month period from July through early September — with 10 fatalities recorded in July, as many in August, and three in the first week of September.
The unusual mortality pattern went unreported to higher authorities for weeks, raising serious questions about the state’s disease surveillance system.
During his 1 hour 45-minute visit to the village on Friday, Minister Yadav walked through local streets, interacted directly with residents, and personally visited affected families. He found many villagers reluctant to seek hospital treatment even for minor ailments due to fear and uncertainty about the ongoing health crisis.
“The government is with you. Get treatment through doctors. Don’t worry,” Yadav assured villagers during his visit, personally encouraging a couple, G Srinivasarao and Vijayakumari, to seek medical care at Guntur Government General Hospital.
The health emergency has exposed gaps in the state’s health monitoring system. Officials acknowledged that field-level medical staff failed to alert higher authorities about the unusual death pattern, despite the mortality rate being significantly higher than normal for the rural community.
“Unfortunately, field-level medical staff didn’t alert higher authorities despite the concerning pattern of deaths,” Minister Yadav told reporters.
Of the 23 victims, seven were over 70 years old, while the remaining deaths occurred among people averaging around 55 years of age.
State Health Department Special Principal Secretary Krishna Babu admitted the current system lacks proper arrangements at the field level for medical staff to analyse death patterns and their causes, preventing timely detection of potential health crises.
In response to the crisis, the government has initiated extensive testing and medical interventions. Blood samples from all affected villagers, along with water and soil samples from the area, have been collected for analysis. As of Friday evening, 59 blood sample results had been processed, with biochemistry reports showing normal levels and no evidence of the suspected Melioidosis bacteria.
Dr Vijayalakshmi, Guntur District Medical and Health Officer, said blood culture reports are expected within 24 hours, which will provide crucial clarity on potential infectious causes.
Two medical camps continue operating in the village, providing comprehensive health screenings including complete blood profiles, liver function tests, kidney function tests, and blood and urine analyses. A special ward has been designated at Guntur Government General Hospital specifically for Turakapalem residents.
Minister Yadav announced the formation of a high-level committee under IAS officer Dr Attada Siri to investigate the surveillance system failures and recommend preventive measures. The committee has been tasked with identifying responsible parties and suggesting technological solutions to ensure immediate reporting of unusual mortality patterns to senior officials.
“Action will definitely be taken against those who showed negligence in duty performance at all levels,” Yadav said, promising accountability measures based on the committee’s findings, expected within a week.
The investigation is examining multiple potential causes, including poor sanitation, contaminated water sources, and possible infectious diseases. 14 specialised medical teams have been deployed to conduct thorough analyses.
Officials are now implementing comprehensive health checks for all villagers, including kidney function tests, diabetes screening, and blood pressure monitoring.
Two residents currently receiving treatment at Guntur Government General Hospital are reported to be in stable condition, according to hospital superintendent Dr Ramana.
(Edited by Amit Vasudev)
