Hyderabad, November 13: The three-member committee constituted by the government to look into the botched cataract surgeries at the Bollineni Eye Hospital & Research Centre in Nellore has given a clean chit to the surgeons and paramedical staff who conducted the operations.
``Prima facie, the enquiry did not establish negligence on the part of either the surgeons or paramedical staff of the hospital in conducting surgeries or in sterilising the equipment used for the surgery,’’ the committee said in a report filed before the AP State Human Rights Commission (APSHRC).
The committee found that the primary source of infection was `strongly believed’ to be the ringer lactate bottles used in the surgery as some of them contained `pseudonomonas aruginosa.’ Only some of the ringer lactate bottles manufactured in the batch no RL 2905 by the supplier appear to be infected and not all bottles manufactured in the same batch, the report said.
The committee comprising G Sudhakar Reddy, G Kulasekhar Rao and Aruna Sundar submitted the report to the SHRC.
The SHRC had taken serious view of the botched operations which left several people blinded and ordered the authorities concerned to take necessary steps.
The principal secretary (health, medical & family welfare) also told the commission that Rs 6.50 lakh was sent to the district collector to disburse Rs 50,000 to each of the 13 victims who were blinded because of the surgery.
The Nellore district collector told the commission that the number of people who lost eyesight rose to 23. Apart from them, the other 10 victims were also paid Rs 50,000 each ex gratia from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
The district medical & health officer, in a report to the commission, said that 14 persons _ four ophthalmic surgeons, the operation theatre incharge, assistants, nurses, ward sisters, two optometrists and a patient counsellor _ were involved in the operations and postoperative care.
``The 14 persons were directed to be present before the commission on November 26,’’ SHRC Chairman Justice B Subhashan Reddy said. He also directed the Nellore DMHO to identify the manufacturer and supplier of ringer lactate bottles of the said batch and produce them before the commission on November 26.
``The superintendent of police and DMHO of Nellore are directed to ensure that the 14 persons of Bollineni Eye Hospital and Reasearch Centre and the manufacturer and supplier of the medicine appear before the commission on the said date,’’ Justice Reddy said.
--Agencies
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