TN Govt to probe toxic drug blindings

Monday, August 25, 2008 at 3:08 am

In a tragic turn of events, eight patients lost their eyesight completely and 21 others were rendered partially blind after a free eye sugery camp turned into a nightmare in Trichy’s Joseph Eye Hospital, Tamil Nadu. The question now is who will pay for the loss endured by the patients?

Karunanidhi — a village head of the Villupuram district said, “They told us they would hold a medical camp. And that’s where all the people got affected. They asked us to come the next week for a follow up. Now they’re not responding to us to giving any compensation.”

Karunanidhi is only one of 43 who got operated. Eight lost their eyesight altogether, while 21 of them complained of partial blindness, irritation and continuous watering from the eyes. The surgeries were performed by a team of doctors of the hospital on July 28.

Following complaints, the Perambalur Collector Anil Meshram ordered and enquiry by a team of doctors headed by the dean of Perambalur government hospital — N Balasubramanian. The team has reportedly been asked to submit a report, after conducting enquiries on the patients, within four days.

The Tamil Nadu Health Minister also reacted to this medical apathy and confirmed that an enquiry has been ordered into the shocking incident at a Trichy hospital. He said, “We will take action against the hospital.”

As complaints started to pour in, the hospital succumbed to a damage controle mode and clamed the fluids which were used during the surgery, which could have been contaminated. The laboratory tests conducted soon after patients complained, revealed that the fluids used in the surgery was infected.

Protests were staged by the patients, when remedial treatment failed to bring positive results. The protesters demanded compensation for the fault of the hospital. They also submitted a petition to the district administration, demanding action being taken against the hospital.

But in the hospital’s defence, they have assured that the eyesight can be restored and the problems could be set right. The hospital authorities said that treatments for restoring vision has begun, but they will be in phases, starting off with pain management.

(By Divya Nair)

( This post is from an independent writer. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not endorsed by APakistanNews.Com.)

TN Govt to probe toxic drug blindings

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