Srinagar, Nov 5: An investigation launched by the state government into the “negligence” by a team of doctors leading to complete loss of eyesight of six persons in Kupwara district is understood to have given a clean chit to the accused medicos.
 Though the alleged negligence at a free Cataract Surgery Camp organized by the Health Department in the border district last month had resulted into evisceration (removal of an eye) of one patient and severe damage to the eyesight to seven others, the inquiry-a report of which is yet to be submitted to the government--has ruled out any carelessness on part of the doctors. “The incident took place because of the complicacies in the surgical procedure,” the inquiry is believed to have established.
 However, senior doctors in different health institutions have raised fingers over the investigation.
 “How can investigation team call it simply a complication as part of surgical procedure,” a senior Ophthalmologist in SMHS asked. Complication could happen with one or two patients, but not with eight, he said. He termed the investigation report ‘biased.’
 “It is quite unusual. This could have not happened. It has happened due to the negligence of everyone who had carried out the surgery. Doctors have used infected saline for cleaning the eyes of the patients,” he said.
 He said of the eight patients, eye of one infected patient had been eviscerated. “There are bleak chances of recovery in three patients while as four are under treatment,” he said. He said the infection was fungal in nature.
 On Oct 7, the Health Department under order no DHSK/SCH/COB/04/679-82 organized a Cataract Surgery Camp in the Sub-District Hospital Kupwara from Oct 11-16. In its order Dr Wahab of Handwara hospital was assigned to supervise the Mobile Surgical cum Ophthalmic Unit consisting of three doctors Dr Firdousa, Dr Asmat and Dr Seema.
 The mobile unit performed around 250 cataract surgeries in Kupwara. Unfortunately, most of the operated patients complained of loss of eyesight and other complications. The patients developed shooting pain in eyes and at least eight patients were referred to SMHS here by a private clinician in Kupwara. The patients were admitted in SHMS hospital for acute infection in their eyes. They include Sahiba wife of Ahmadullah Rather of Reshi Gund Kupwara, Ali Muhammad Sheikh of Laderwan Kupwara, Sara Begum wife of Ali Muhammad Mir of Hatmullah Kupwara, Zoona Begum wife of Habibullah Dar of Kunanposhpura, Muhammad Akbar Lone of Laderwan, Ghulam Muhammad Teli of Darial wilgam, Kupwara and Ghulam Rasool Shah of Gugloosa Kupwara, all aged between 50 and 60 years.
 Talking to Greater Kashmir Director Health, Dr Muhammad Amin Wani said report had not been submitted yet. “The investigation team is drafting the report. They will submit it in few days,” he said. He said the camp was organized by a qualified team of doctors.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 5 Nov 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 5 Nov 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 6 Nov 2010 00:00:00 IST