Congress MLA Tellam Venkatarao, who is also a skilled surgeon, performed emergency caesarean sections on two pregnant women in the flood-stricken Bhadradri Kothagudem District. The surgeries took place at the government hospital in Bhadrachalam on Tuesday despite flood scenario.
Venkatarao, representing the Bhadrachalam (ST) constituency, stepped in when hospital authorities approached him due to the unavailability of doctors.
Earlier, heavy rains and subsequent floods cut off access to medical facilities in some towns making it impossible to transfer the women. The district was grappling with severe flooding from the Godavari River, which has disrupted normal life and severed road links to several villages.
Anticipating complications from the ongoing flood situation, two pregnant women were moved to the Bhadrachalam hospital from different villages a few days prior. On Tuesday, both women went into labour. With four of the hospital's five surgeons recently transferred and the fifth unavailable, hospital authorities turned to Venkatarao, who was already engaged in flood relief efforts, as per a report on IANS.
Venkatarao, who has previously worked as a civil surgeon, rushed to the hospital and successfully performed the emergency surgeries. Bhimanaboina Swapna gave birth to a baby boy, while Pilli Pushpaleela delivered a baby girl. Both mothers and their families expressed profound gratitude for Venkatarao’s timely intervention.
"I will always be available to serve the people of the agency areas," Venkatarao stated, as per the report, reaffirming his commitment to his constituents.
Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha thanked Venkatarao for his exemplary service. Venkatarao, who earned his Master of Surgery (MS) in 2011, had previously served at the Bhadrachalam hospital. He was elected to the Assembly on a BRS ticket in the 2025 elections and later joined the ruling Congress party in April 2024.