At least 14 people complained of "infection" in their eyes after undergoing operations conducted by an NGO, local health authorities said today.
Taking a serious note of the incident, Haryana government has ordered an inquiry into the issue and promised to bear the entire expenditure incurred on their treatment.
"Out of total 19 patients, 14 have developed infection in their eyes after their cataract operation was conducted at a local hospital by NGO Samaj Seva Samiti on March 11," Panipat civil surgeon Inderjit Dhankhar said, confirming the incident.
The affected patients, in the age group of 40 to 80 years were admitted to PGIMER Chandigarh for treatment last night, he said.
"The PGI doctors will be able to tell whether they have lost eye vision or not," the surgeon said, adding that the doctors from state health department would also examine the patients.
Health department officials said that patients had complained of developing "infection" in their eyes on March 13.
Asked whether the NGO had taken prior permission for holding an eye camp, Dhankhar said that they did not have any such permission.
"Inquiry has been ordered to probe the lapse and a three member committee including medical specialists have been formed in this regard. Report will be submitted in a day or two," he said.
"It has also been decided to provide the best medical treatment to patients and the government will bear the entire expenditure," the doctor said.
On being asked whether anything was charged from patients for the operation, Dhankhar said that the doctor who conducted the operation had told him that he was not given any money for operation.
PGI Chandigarh meanwhile is conducting detailed tests on the patients brought to the institute.
