Each patient operated upon at the cataract surgery camp in Badwani district has faced problems after the operation. Only 68 patients were provided with compensation and lifetime pension as declared by the State Government. Besides, 19 patients were deprived of the benefits, despite the facts that they also suffered in the operation.
While talking to media persons here on Tuesday, Amulya Nidhi of voluntary organisation Jan Swasthya Abhiyan said that a six-member delegation of different organizations that conducted independent investigation. Report on the findings was released at the press conference.
It was claimed that this was an update on the current situation of the matter where severe negligence and violations have cost such a large number of citizens their eyesight.
AIIMS investigation report has further confirmed that infections spread due to bacteria in OT and surgical instruments claimed Amulya but the reports by the State Government have not been made public. The team has questioned regarding the 19 left out patients who have not provided compensation and pension.
An independent investigation was carried out by representative of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, Narmada Bachao Andolan and Swasthya Adhikar Manch to find out irregularities during eye surgery camp jointly organised by Barwani District Hospital and lion’s Club between from November 16 to 24, 2015, under the District Blindness Control Programme.
The State Government has announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh each for all patients affected by the surgery and has sanctioned lifetime monthly pension of `5000 for 65 patients out of total 86.
The team has demanded that all the patients who have undergone surgery have faced problems in their eyes and they should be provided due treatment at higher levels till their condition is becomes stable.
Among the other demands the team has asked all reports regarding investigation conducted by the State government should be made available in the public domain and action should be taken against all the related State and District health and administrative officials.