NHRC notice to the Government of Uttar Pradesh over reported botched cataract surgery taking away the eyesight of six patients at a private hospital in Kanpur

New Delhi, 25th November, 2022

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that six patients lost eyesight due to alleged negligence by the doctors after the cataract surgery at a private hospital in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Reportedly, the patients were told that the eye surgeries were being done at a free camp but were charged Rs. 1500/- each.

The Commission has observed the contents of media reports, if true, amount to human rights violations of the victims. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh calling for a detailed report in the matter including the status of the FIR registered in connection with the incident and relief/compensation, if any, provided to the victims.

The Commission would also like to know the steps taken and proposed to be taken by the State government to ensure that such painful incidents do not recur in the future. The report must also contain whether the Hospital had obtained prior approval from the District authorities before holding a free eye surgery camp. The response from the authorities is expected within 4 weeks.

According to the media reports, carried on 24th November, 2022, the cataract surgeries were performed at the free eye surgery camp by the private hospital from 2nd – 4th November, 2022. Reportedly, post-surgery, the infection became so severe that the cornea of four patients had to be removed by the doctors at the GSVM Medical College, Kanpur. A probe is being conducted to trace how many patients got infected after the eye surgery at this camp.

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