TGHRC Recommends Compensation to 18 Cataract Surgery Victims
11 Aug 2026 5:23 PM IST11 Aug 2026 5:23 PM IST
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 ₹4 lakh each to 12
survivors and ₹5 lakh each to the next of kin of six patients who died following botched cataract surgeries conducted under the then BRS government’s Kanti Velugu programme at Jaya Hospital in Hanamkonda in September 2018.
The commission also recommended a detailed enquiry to identify the doctors, staff and other authorities responsible and take appropriate action against them in accordance with applicable regulations. The authorities have been directed to implement the recommendations and submit an action-taken report.
The commission was dealing with a suo motu case taken up on the basis of a report published in Deccan Chronicle on September 29, 2018, alleging that 18 patients had suffered loss of eyesight due to medical negligence or wrong treatment at Jaya Hospital.
The report had highlighted the plight of 18 persons who underwent cataract surgery at the private hospital in Hanamkonda under the Kanti Velugu programme and subsequently developed serious complications. Seven patients had complained that they had lost their vision after the surgery.
At the time, authorities had sealed the operation theatre where the cataract surgeries were performed and ordered an enquiry. The affected patients were
referred to an eye institute in Hyderabad for further treatment.
Subsequent reports in Deccan Chronicle documented the condition and treatment of the affected patients. Eight patients returned from treatment with partial vision, while others continued to undergo treatment. Doctors treating the patients had then indicated that some were unlikely to regain their eyesight.
After an enquiry that included examination of reports submitted by the health department, medical records furnished by an eye institute and its ophthalmologist, and statements of the victims and their family members, 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 eye infection caused by Enterobacter cloacae, loss of eyesight, prolonged treatment and immense physical and mental suffering.
It held that the negligence amounted to a violation of their right to life, health and human dignity guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Exercising its powers under Section 18 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, the commission recommended compensation of ₹4 lakh each to the 12 survivors and ₹5 lakh each to the next of kin of the six deceased victims. It further recommended a detailed enquiry to identify the doctors, staff and other authorities responsible and take appropriate action against them in accordance with applicable regulations. The authorities were directed to implement the recommendations and submit an action-taken report.
The commission also recommended a detailed enquiry to identify the doctors, staff and other authorities responsible and take appropriate action against them in accordance with applicable regulations. The authorities have been directed to implement the recommendations and submit an action-taken report.
The commission was dealing with a suo motu case taken up on the basis of a report published in Deccan Chronicle on September 29, 2018, alleging that 18 patients had suffered loss of eyesight due to medical negligence or wrong treatment at Jaya Hospital.
The report had highlighted the plight of 18 persons who underwent cataract surgery at the private hospital in Hanamkonda under the Kanti Velugu programme and subsequently developed serious complications. Seven patients had complained that they had lost their vision after the surgery.
At the time, authorities had sealed the operation theatre where the cataract surgeries were performed and ordered an enquiry. The affected patients were
referred to an eye institute in Hyderabad for further treatment.
Subsequent reports in Deccan Chronicle documented the condition and treatment of the affected patients. Eight patients returned from treatment with partial vision, while others continued to undergo treatment. Doctors treating the patients had then indicated that some were unlikely to regain their eyesight.
After an enquiry that included examination of reports submitted by the health department, medical records furnished by an eye institute and its ophthalmologist, and statements of the victims and their family members, 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 eye infection caused by Enterobacter cloacae, loss of eyesight, prolonged treatment and immense physical and mental suffering.
It held that the negligence amounted to a violation of their right to life, health and human dignity guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Exercising its powers under Section 18 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, the commission recommended compensation of ₹4 lakh each to the 12 survivors and ₹5 lakh each to the next of kin of the six deceased victims. It further recommended a detailed enquiry to identify the doctors, staff and other authorities responsible and take appropriate action against them in accordance with applicable regulations. The authorities were directed to implement the recommendations and submit an action-taken report.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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