Eye surgery victims’ families demand compensation from Sarojini Devi hospital

Hyderabad: The latest episode of eye surgeries done at Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital has taken another turn as the family members of surgery victims have started pressurizing the hospital for compensation. On June 30, eight patients undergone cataract surgery at SD Hospital and they’re not fully recovered.

The eight patients are Prabhavati, Anji Reddy, Manikyam, Nukulla Talli, Harpanbai, P.C. Mandal, Satyanarayana and Babaji have been suffering from vision loss after the surgery.

However, doctors at the hospital say there’s no point in coming in groups to pressurize them. The hospital has set up three committees. The hospital doctors came to know of the fact that it has been found that the fault was not of the treating surgeon, but of the IV fluid that was provided by the government.

A relative of a victim said his grandmother has not got her sight back in one eye. “We demand the government for compensation as the hospital has failed to perform its job properly.”

Dr. Rajender Gupta, Deputy Superintendent at Sarojini Devi Hospital, said: “The doctors at the hospital are patiently advising the family members to continue treatment for those who have undergone surgery.”

However, doctors at the hospital say there’s no point in coming in groups to pressurize them. The hospital has set up three committees. The hospital doctors came to know of the fact that it has been found that the fault was not of the treating surgeon but of the IV fluid that was provided by the government.

Dr. Rajender Gupta, Deputy Superintendent at Sarojini Devi Hospital

The doctors at the hospital are patiently advising the family members to continue treatment for those who have undergone surgery.

“So relatives and family members can demand the government for compensation. Coming in groups and demanding for compensation is not good and this disturbs our daily schedule and cause inconvenience to other patients.”
Klebsilla bacteria was found in the IV fluid due to which elective operations were stopped for 10 days. After the incident, normal functioning is resuming at the hospital. Doctors have called these patients to check for updates. Each of them was given separate date, but all the surgery victims and family members came together on Monday and staged protests and raised voice demanding compensation.

A victim’s family from Narayanaguda said that there may not be any chance of eyesight restoration. Whether fault is with government or hospital, loss is ours.