Probe into eyesight loss ordered

The Statesman, March 20, 2007
Statesman News Service

BHUBANESWAR, March 19: Health minister Mr Duryodhan Majhi today ordered a probe into the alleged instance of six persons losing their eyesight after a cataract operation at the Bhawanipatna District Headquarters Hospital, Kalahandi.
Mr Majhi said that a team of doctors ~ either from the SCB Medical College Hospital, Cuttack or the VSS Medical college, Burla ~ would conduct the probe and submit a report within three days.
At least six persons lodged complaints with the police yesterday alleging that they had lost their eyesight after undergoing cataract operation in January. They held the doctors responsible for the incident. The Madel villagers under Narla block were taken to the cataract operation camp on 21 and 22 January.
When their eye bands were removed yesterday they failed to see anything and alleged that each had lost one of their eyes. The doctors, however, explained that the villagers had not taken proper post-operation care which had led to infection.