On NHRC recommendation the Government of Chhattisgarh pays Rs.23 lakh as relief to 46 victims of botched up eye surgery (10.11.2014)
PRESS RELEASE
New Delhi, 11th November, 2014
On the persistence of the National Human Rights Commission, in a case of botched up eye surgery, the Government of Chhattisgarh has finally paid Rs.50 thousand each to the 46 victims. This is in addition to Rs.50 thousand each paid earlier by the State Government to the victims which the Commission had found insufficient. The State Government has also informed the Commission that three eye surgeons and other technical staff including two staff nurses were suspended and departmental action had been taken against them.
The Commission had taken cognizance of the issue on the basis of a media report in 2011 alleging that 334 patients were operated upon at an eye camp in Balod, District Durg from the 21st - 31st September, 2011. One person had died and 25 others lost vision after the surgery. Most of them were farmers.
During the course of enquiry, the Commission found that total 334 patients were operated upon for cataract during the 21st September - 30th September, 2011 at an eye camp organised by the Indian Medical Association. However, 46 out of 93 patients operated upon on the 29th September, 2011 developed infection in their eyes due to bacteria present in the makeshift operation theater. Government Opthalmologists as well as a doctor from AIIMS, New Delhi treated them at a cost of Rs.10 lakh 50 thousand. Two patients were operated for vitrectomy, however, there was no possibility of the remaining 44 patients regaining their eyesight. Therefore, they were paid Rs.50 each as financial assistance by the Government. Four persons who were operated upon for cataract had died subsequently but their deaths were not related to the infection caught during the operation.
The Commission observed that 46 patients were infacted after the operation which clearly reflected gross negligence on the part of the concerned doctors and staff and Rs.50 thousand as financial assistance given to each patient by the State appeared to be insufficient. Therefore, it directed the State Government to pay an additional amount of Rs.50 thousand to them and also asked to submit an action taken report against the guilty.
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New Delhi, 11th November, 2014
On the persistence of the National Human Rights Commission, in a case of botched up eye surgery, the Government of Chhattisgarh has finally paid Rs.50 thousand each to the 46 victims. This is in addition to Rs.50 thousand each paid earlier by the State Government to the victims which the Commission had found insufficient. The State Government has also informed the Commission that three eye surgeons and other technical staff including two staff nurses were suspended and departmental action had been taken against them.
The Commission had taken cognizance of the issue on the basis of a media report in 2011 alleging that 334 patients were operated upon at an eye camp in Balod, District Durg from the 21st - 31st September, 2011. One person had died and 25 others lost vision after the surgery. Most of them were farmers.
During the course of enquiry, the Commission found that total 334 patients were operated upon for cataract during the 21st September - 30th September, 2011 at an eye camp organised by the Indian Medical Association. However, 46 out of 93 patients operated upon on the 29th September, 2011 developed infection in their eyes due to bacteria present in the makeshift operation theater. Government Opthalmologists as well as a doctor from AIIMS, New Delhi treated them at a cost of Rs.10 lakh 50 thousand. Two patients were operated for vitrectomy, however, there was no possibility of the remaining 44 patients regaining their eyesight. Therefore, they were paid Rs.50 each as financial assistance by the Government. Four persons who were operated upon for cataract had died subsequently but their deaths were not related to the infection caught during the operation.
The Commission observed that 46 patients were infacted after the operation which clearly reflected gross negligence on the part of the concerned doctors and staff and Rs.50 thousand as financial assistance given to each patient by the State appeared to be insufficient. Therefore, it directed the State Government to pay an additional amount of Rs.50 thousand to them and also asked to submit an action taken report against the guilty.
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