Gujarat HC takes Suo Moto cognizance in cataract surgery complication case

Viramgam: The Gujarat High Court today took suo moto cognizance of news reports about complications in 17 patients post-cataract surgery in the trust-run hospital Mandal.

The bench of Justice A.S. Supehia and Justice Vimal Vyas took suo moto cognizance in the matter and issued a notice to the Health Secretary and the Ahmedabad Rural SP. The hearing of the case has been posted for February 7. The Court also ordered the government to hand over the preliminary inquiry report.

A total of 29 cataract patients were operated on at Mandal Ramanand Trust Hospital in Viramgam taluka of Ahmedabad district on January 10, out of which 17 people complained about reduced eyesight after the surgery. Out of these, 5 people are receiving treatment at Asarwa Civil Hospital, and 12 are undergoing treatment at Ramanand Trust Hospital. The hospital is run by Sevaniketan Trust.

Out of the total 29 people, 9 are from Ahmedabad district, 12 from Surendranagar district, and 8 from Patan district. According to the doctors at Asarwa Civil Hospital, prima facie, it is suspected that the infection was caused by the eye drops after the operation. None of the patients admitted to the hospital have lost their vision.

All operations at Ramanand Trust Hospital have been suspended. The investigation revealed that a total of 74 persons underwent eye surgery from January 1 to January 10. The process of contacting them has also been undertaken.

Today in the Gujarat High Court, Judges A.S. Supehia and Justice Vimal Vyas took suo moto cognizance based on reports by news organizations. The court mentioned that some patients have lost half their sight after the surgery. As many as 17 patients are experiencing eye infections after surgery. Appropriate measures should be taken for patients suffering from infection, the court said. DeshGujarat