Taking cognisance of media reports that exposed botched up surgeries in Washim district in Vidarbha leading to loss of vision, the National Human Rights Commission on Thursday sought a detailed report on the incident from Maharashtra government within two weeks.
The NHRC issued a notice to Principal Secretary, Department of Health in Maharashtra government stating that if media reports were true, it violated the human rights of the victims.
According to media reports, a free eye camp was conducted in Washim district in October, and 171 patients were operated. Out of which 32 people, including the 18 who were operated upon on Oct 15, had suffered serious eye inflammation.
A preliminary probe found negligence, as the standard operating procedure for sterilisation of instruments was not followed. The patients, all in the age group of 55 to 90 years, were found to be suffering from pseudomonas (bacteria) infection.
23 patients were shifted to JJ Hospital in Mumbai, two in Jalna civil hospital, and one to Government Medical College, Nagpur, while six remained under observation at Akola Government Medical College. A department enquiry was ordered, and two doctors who performed the surgeries were placed under suspension.
