Botched cataract surgeries in Indore: Probe panel records statement of doctors

INDORE: A committee comprising ADM Kailash Wankhede, Dr Pradeep Goyal and Dr Ashutosh Sharma, which is leading a probe to know reasons behind vision loss of patients and land allotted to Indore Eye Hospital on lease, recorded statements of doctors, who render their services in the private medical facility.
The committee led by Wankhede on Monday recorded statements of Dr Suhas Bande, Dr Rohini Pore, Dr Anusuya Chouhan and Dr Vaninder Kaur regarding cataract operations carried out in Indore Eye Hospital on August 5 and 8.It came to fore that eight patients had undergone paid cataract operations on August 5 and of them, four had developed problems in eyesight.
Eyes of two patients, identified as Rama Bai and Sushaila Bai, were surgically removed as the infection spread rapidly threatening their lives. Both of them are now being treated at Choithram Netralaya, while the committee was approaching remaining two patients, who faced the problem post cataract operations.
The committee raised objections over doctors of Indore Eye Hospital for their not stopping operations, even after four out of eight patients underwent surgery on August 5 developed problems, and performed cataract operations of 13 persons on August 8. Of them, 11 suffered eyesight loss.
During investigation, committee also raised objections over alleged apathy on part of president of Indore district committee for blindness prevention Dr TS Hora, who was suspended by health minister on Sunday for delaying collection of samples of medicines and other medical equipment to medical college on Monday, after a delay of around a week.
The committee also raised objections over alleged lethargy on part of Indore and Dhar CMHO along with the state nodal officer of blindness prevention programme for not taking timely action.
It also came to fore that after 18 persons lost eyesight post their cataract operations at Indore Eye Hospital in 2010, the then CMHO had re-issued permission for resuming medical services there.
“We are collecting and compiling details for investigation. The report is likely to be submitted Tuesday,” Wankhede told TOI.