Khaleej Times, June 4, 2007
BHUBANESWAR — At least five of the 13 people, who had lost one eye each after undergoing a cataract operation at the state-run district headquarters hospital of Kalahandi, on Saturday urged the President to allow them to die.
The five persons, all above 60 years of age from Mendal village under Narla block, in a memorandum to APJ Abdul Kalam stated that they were facing difficulties after losing one eye each. The state government did not take care of them which ultimately "pushed them to a life of misery", they alleged.
The victims, including two women, submitted the memorandum to Additional District Magistrate, Kalahandi, B.K. Ojha who confirmed the receipt of it.
"They have urged to provide them with government assistance like issue of disability certificate or allow them to die," he told PTI over telephone.
Official sources said a total of 14 people, six from Narla block, four from Kesinga block, three from Jaypatna block and one from Bhawanipatna town, had undergone cataract operation at the government hospital on January 23. They were allowed to go home the next day.
However, all of them returned to the hospital with complaints of infection on their eyes. "We had to operate and remove the infected eyes of 13 people. The infection was caused due to lack of post-operation care," said Dr Bharatbandhu Panda of the hospital.
The incident, however, came to light in March after the victims lodged an FIR at Bhawanipatna police station holding the doctors and the hospital responsible for loss of their eye sight.
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