TGHRC Recommends Compensation to 18 Cataract Surgery Victims
The commission further recommended a detailed enquiry to identify the erring doctors, staff and other authorities concerned and to take appropriate action against them in accordance with the applicable regulations
Hyderabad: The Telangana Human Rights Commission (TGHRC) headed by Chairperson Dr. Justice Shameem Akther has recommended compensation of Rs.4 lakh each to 12 surviving victims and Rs.5 lakh each to the next of kin of six deceased victims.
The commission further recommended a detailed enquiry to identify the erring doctors, staff and other authorities concerned and to take appropriate action against them in accordance with the applicable regulations.
The authorities were directed to implement the recommendations and submit an action-taken report. The commission dealt with the suo-motu case taken up on the basis of news reports published in leading newspapers on September 29, 2018, alleging that 18 patients had suffered loss of eyesight due to medical negligence or wrong treatment at Jaya Hospital in Hanumakonda.
Cataract surgeries were performed at the hospital under the government’s ‘Kanti Velugu’ programme.
After a detailed and comprehensive enquiry, including examination of reports submitted by the Health department, medical records furnished by L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, statements of the victims and their family members and the submissions of Dr. Rajeev K. Reddy Pappuru, Ophthalmologist, L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, the commission found serious deficiencies in the maintenance of the operation theatre, hygiene, use of surgical instruments, sterilisation, infection control and patient safety, besides failure of supervision by the authorities concerned.
The commission observed that the victims suffered severe Enterobacter Cloacae eye infection, loss of eyesight, prolonged treatment and immense physical and mental suffering, and held that such negligence amounted to violation of their right to life, health and human dignity guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
Accordingly, exercising powers under Section 18 of the Protection of Human Rights Act-1993, the commission recommended compensation. It further recommended a detailed enquiry to identify the erring doctors, staff and other authorities and to take appropriate action against them in accordance with the applicable regulations.
The authorities were directed to implement the recommendations and submit an action-taken report.