Cataract operation victims at the MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur on Tuesday. Picture by Gopal Krishna Reddy

Berhampur, April 19: Thirteen poor people in Kalahandi lost their vision in 2007 during a cataract operation allegedly due to the ‘negligence’ of doctors. Three years after the incident, 22 people met with the same fate after another cataract operation at a free eye camp at Dharmagada in Kalahandi last September. Now, after months of struggle, they were admitted to the eye department of M.K.C.G. Medical College and Hospital here on Monday.

“Twenty-two people, including 10 women who came here from Dharmagada, were admitted to the eye department of M.K.C.G. Medical College and Hospital here on the night of April 18. They have been undergoing treatment since then. However, the condition of 5-6 people is better and they are most likely to regain their eyesight,” said Prof Dr Jogendra Prasad Behera, head of the eye department and superintendent, M.K.C.G. Medical College and Hospital.

“The state government is bearing the expenses for their treatment. We would treat them and furnish the report to the government,” he said.

Replying to a question on the cataract operation being faulty, Behera said they were examining the detailed study and will furnish the report to the state government.

“Cataract operations of 1,210 people were conducted at Dharmagada in Kalahandi district for four days last September,” he said.

People admitted to the M.K.C.G. Medical College and Hospital include Kailash Chandra Panda (77), a resident of Rahurahaldi, Maheswar Bishari (55) of Bijumara in Kokasara, Atulu Gopal (64) of Kandakul in Golamunda, Bila Bihari (70) of Karli in Golamunda, Manohar Bag (40) of Sanapudagada in Kokasara, Chitra Bag (55) of Abani Colony in Dharmagada, Apurba Bag (60) of Buden in Dharmagada, Debaki Sipka (40) of Golamunda, Baisakhi Bhoi (75) of Lanji in Golmunda, Loknath Panda (76) of Kasibahal in Dharmagada, Ram Krushna Mund (78) of Dharmagada, Amrut Bag (60) of Potash in Kalampur, Bhodev Meher (50) of Panakula in Golamunda, Tarpan Bihar (50) of Khairapadar in Dharmagada, Kismati Chandan (71) of Chapriya in Golamunda, Noor Gua (60) of Belachada in Kalampur, Mangani Nayak (60) of Bikramgunda in Dharmagada, Biswamitra Duria (47) of Rankabahal in Dharmagada, Jaladhar Mali (65) of Khamarhaldi in Golamunda, Gomati Bihari (70) of Golamunda, Kali Prasad Nayak (77) of Majhipada in Dharmagada and Ratan Lahajal (70) of Salekelagada in Dharmagada.

“I lost my left eye after the cataract operation at a free eye camp organised by an NGO called JMJ Grace Vision, Sambalpur, on September 24, 2010. The visibility of my right eye has also decreased considerably now,” Biswamitra Duria (47) of Rankabahal in Dharmagada block said.

“Four days after the operation I felt an acute pain in my eye. When I approached the NGO, they took me to L.V. Prasad Eye Institute in Bhubaneswar after a thorough eye wash. The doctors at L.V. Prasad Eye Institute operated my eye twice but in vain,” said Biswamitra Duria who works as a daily labourer to maintain his family that includes his wife, four sons and a daughter. “I have lost one eye and the other eye is decaying. How can I manage the family now as a blind man,” asked Duria.

Ketan Bihari (38) is worried about his mother Bila Bihari. “My mother has lost her right eye after the cataract operation. My father Rasbihari, who is now 75, is still dependant on my mother. I work as a daily labourer for my livelihood. I am the only son. How can I look after and take care of my old father, blind and old mother, my wife and my daughter with a meager income? The government should do something for me to maintain my family,” said Ketan.

The patients who have lost their sight have complained acute pain in their eye with headache and discharge of fluids from the affected eye. However, all seem to be happy with the treatment at M.K.C.G. Medical College and Hospital.

“As the free eye camp for cataract operation at Dharmagada was conducted on the instructions of the state government, we expect satisfactory compensation and justice,” said a patient.