New Delhi, October 19th, 2011
The National Human Rights Commission has issued notice to the Chief Secretary of the Chhattisgarh Government after taking suo motu cognizance of a media report alleging that one person died and twenty five others lost vision at a government organized eye camp in Balod, District Durg. The operations were conducted as a part of Central Scheme, National Blindness Programme.
According to the media report, a number of other people are facing the same fate due to infection one month after their surgery for cataract removal at the same eye camp which was organized at the Community Health Centre, Balod from 21st-31st September, 2011. During the camp a total of 334 patients were operated upon.
Allegedly, the patients, who are mostly farmers, caught infection due to lapses in the surgical procedure and lack of proper fumigation in the makeshift operation theatre.
The Commission has observed that if the contents of the media report are true then it's a serious issue of violation of human rights of the farmers who became victims of gross negligence of the doctors who performed these surgeries.
The Commission has asked for a report in the matter within four weeks from the State Government with specific information on the following points:
i) The status of health of each of the 334 patients, who were operated upon at the Community Health Centre, Balod.
ii) What medical aid has been provided to the victims by the State Government?
iii) Whether the Government proposes to grant any compensation to the victims?
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