Special drive planned against illegal medical practitioners in ASR district

The death of 14-year-old Korra Poojitha, a ninth-class student of Pedabayalu Girls High School, allegedly due to following the intervention by unauthorised medical practitioners, has prompted the authorities to launch a drive against such malpractice in Alluri Sitharama Raju district.

Addressing the media, Paderu Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) Project Officer T. Sri Pooja explained the sequence of events that led to the girl’s death.

After suffering health issues, Poojitha was immediately treated by private medical practitioners. Coming to know about it, the ANMs ensured that the parents brought her to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Pedabayalu, the PO said.

On January 14, the girl died while undergoing treatment at the Government General Hospital (GGH), Paderu.

Describing the incident as unfortunate, Ms. Sri Pooja stressed that parents must ensure that children are taken to the nearby PHCs without delay, in case of illness.

Ms. Sri Pooja pointed out that in several cases when PHCs refer patients to district or higher-level hospitals, parents are reluctant to shift them as advised. She urged the parents to follow doctor’s instructions without fail, ensuring timely referral.

Highlighting a major concern in rural and tribal areas, she noted that in weekly markets and remote villages, unqualified individuals often pose as doctors and mislead people. “Such unauthorised and unscientific medical practices, carried out without proper diagnosis or training, are resulting in loss of lives,” she said and warned that criminal action would be initiated against such individuals.

She stated that criminal cases would also be registered against those responsible for the circumstances that led to Poojitha’s death.

“A special drive will be launched by the Health Department, in coordination with other government departments, to identify unauthorised medical practitioners operating in the district and take action against them,” she said.

The PO advised the parents against administering traditional medicines to children without a valid prescription from a qualified doctor.

Helpline

“In case the ‘108’ ambulance services are unavailable or calls are not connecting to the call centre, people can directly contact the DM&HO office by dialling 6303921374,” she said.

Government Medical College Principal Dr. D. Hemalatha Devi, District Additional DMHO Dr. Pratap, and other officials were present.