19-month-old boy’s critical illness exposes Devanakonda sanitation crisis

Kurnool: A 19-month-old boy from Devanakonda village is currently battling for his life at the Kurnool Government General Hospital, where he has been on ventilator support for the past four days following a severe bout of fever.

This critical situation has brought the village’s persistent sanitation problems into sharp focus, with the child’s father, local journalist Boya Narsa Naidu, strongly questioning the prolonged delay in addressing basic civic issues despite repeated complaints submitted to the authorities.

Speaking to The Hans India, Narsa Naidu stated that his son, Boya Revanth Naidu, developed a high fever that caused his health to deteriorate rapidly.

The child was initially taken to the local Devanakonda hospital for treatment and was subsequently shifted to the Kurnool Government General Hospital on the advice of attending doctors.

Having spent four days on ventilator support, the family remains under immense distress while anxiously hoping for his recovery.

Narsa Naidu revealed that he had brought multiple sanitation-related grievances to the attention of Devanakonda Panchayat Secretary Shankaramma and other concerned officials nearly 45 days prior.

These complaints included overflowing and clogged drains, the unregulated movement of stray pigs, and a severe mosquito menace plaguing the residential area. He added that he had also raised similar public grievances through official redressal platforms in the past.

Despite these formal representations, the problems remained completely unresolved, prompting strong criticism over administrative negligence.

Medical authorities noted that there is no official confirmation yet establishing a direct link between the child’s illness and the village’s sanitation issues.

The exact root cause of his critical condition is still pending final medical investigation. Meanwhile, health department officials from Kurnool inspected the boy’s house and surrounding neighborhoods following the incident, spraying disinfectants and medicines as an immediate precautionary measure.

Narsa Naidu has earnestly appealed to the state government to ensure the absolute best possible medical care for his son’s recovery.

He also urged authorities to take immediate, long-overdue steps to permanently resolve Devanakonda’s sanitation crisis. His appeals include regular and systematic cleaning of drainage systems, effective mosquito eradication drives, and strict measures to prevent pigs from roaming freely through residential zones.

Stressing that officials must respond promptly to public complaints rather than waiting for crises to escalate, the family highlighted the urgent necessity of sustained administrative efforts to safeguard community health.

•A 19-month-old boy, Boya Revanth Naidu, is battling for his life on ventilator support at the KGH following a severe fever

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

V Narendra Kumar

V Narendra Kumar[email protected]

Narendra Kumar Varikuntla is a seasoned journalist with 15 years of experience in reporting and news coverage. He holds a Master's degree in English Literature. He is Staff Correspondent for The Hans India based in Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh Before embarking on his career in journalism, he worked with Tata Robins Fraser (TRF) as a Confidential Assistant at the Rourkela Steel Plant, where he served for 10 years. His tenure at TRF enabled him to develop strong administrative, communication, and organisational skills, which have significantly contributed to his success in journalism. He began his journalistic career with Deccan Chronicle, where he gained valuable experience in reporting and news gathering. Since 2015, he has been serving as a Staff Correspondent with The Hans India, covering the erstwhile Kurnool district, including Kurnool and Nandyal. During his journalism career, Narendra Kumar has extensively reported on governance, politics, public affairs, social issues, agriculture, and developmental activities. He is known for his commitment to accurate, balanced, and responsible journalism, maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. In addition to his journalistic profession, he is actively engaged in agriculture and personally cultivates 10 acres of farmland. His close association with farming provides him with firsthand insight into rural life and farmers' issues, enriching his reporting on agriculture and rural development.

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