Telangana health officer treks 16km through hills and streams to help isolated tribes: The full journey

In a remarkable display of dedication, Allem Appaiah, the District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO) of Mulugu in Telangana, undertook a challenging journey to deliver essential supplies to remote tribal communities. On July 16, Appaiah set out on a 16km trek that took over five hours, crossing treacherous terrain, wading through a swollen stream, and climbing hills to reach a remote settlement in Wajedu mandal.

As per a TOI report, Appaiah's mission was to deliver medicines, mosquito nets, and provisions to 11 tribal families from the Guthi Koya tribe. His efforts were driven not only by the need to provide essentials but also by a desire to convince the families to relocate to the plains for their safety. The challenging conditions in their current location, including the difficulty in accessing medical facilities during emergencies, prompted this request.

To better understand the living conditions of the tribe, Appaiah spent the night at the thanda in Penugolu village. This settlement, housing 39 residents including young children, is situated in a hazardous location, making it hard to provide necessary medical support.


Previously, the district administration had successfully relocated 140 out of 151 families from the village to the plains. However, the remaining 11 families indicated that they might consider relocating if provided with houses near the road and land for cultivation.

During his visit, Appaiah experienced firsthand the difficulties faced by health workers like Chinna Venkatesh, who regularly delivers medical supplies to the area. The challenging conditions meant that Appaiah's mobile phone was out of reach due to poor signal reception.

State Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha praised Appaiah and his team for their exceptional efforts to reach the tribal families and provide essential support amidst such difficult circumstances.

Inputs from TOI