"The state will pay a compensation of Rs 50,000 to each of the 12 patients who developed infection following an eye surgery at the camp held recently at Bagbahara in Mahasamund district," official sources said.
"At least nine of the 15 patients have lost vision in one eye due to infection. The pus, however, has been removed from their operated eyes," Dr Deepsikha Agrawal of MGM hospital, where the patients have been admitted, said.
"Besides, retina surgeries have been performed on other three infected patients and they are expected to recover vision in the operated eye very soon," she said, adding, three more patients were under continuous observation.
However, the main opposition Congress has demanded resignation of Health Minister Amar Agrawal saying the callous attitude of the state government resulted in such incidents.
Agrawal yesterday visited the 15 patients who have been admitted at MGM hospital here and assured them to provide the best possible assistance for their early recovery, health officials said.
The minister also assured to take stringent action against those found guilty after a probe in the case, they said.
More From This Section
Congress state unit chief Nand Kumar Patel alleged medical services in the state have completely deteriorated.
Irregularities and negligence towards patients in such eye camps have resulted in loss of vision of several persons and Chief Minister Raman Singh should take its responsibility, he said while demanding the health minister's resignation in connection with the case.
About 145 people had undergone the surgery in a camp on December 9 and 10 organised by social organisation Shree Krishna Agrawal Memorial Trust at the Community Health Centre at Bagbahra, over 100 kms from Raipur.
Following this, around 15 patients including 8 women developed swelling and pus in the operated eye and they were rushed to MGM hospital in Raipur.
A team of health officials headed by a senior official and eye expert has been asked to investigate the matter and submit a report to the government within 10 days.