HYDERABAD: Over a year after 13 people underwent botched eye surgeries at Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital at Hyderabad, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) held that the liability to pay relief lay with the Government of Telangana and recommended it to pay `1 lakh each to six of the persons who lost their vision. It directed the Chief Secretary, government of Telangana, to submit compliance report along with proof of payment within six weeks.
The State government had contended that the liability rested with the manufacturer of the contaminated compound sodium lactate IP solution that had been administered to the patients on July 4, 2016. The drug had been contaminated with klebsiella bacteria. Six victim had not regained vision even after treatment.
The commission held that the drug manufacturer would also have to pay monetary relief if it was found guilty. The case is still being investigated. It observed that the State had not denied the allegations of the 13 persons and hence the victims deserved monetary relief from the government.
Y Narendra of Telangana State Trade Union, who has demanded justice for the victims, asked, “How would `1 lakh each justify the loss of eye sight for those who still have over 20 years of life left. There is blame game taking place and no one is interested in the victims’ compensation.”
State stand
The State government had contended that the liability rested with the manufacturer of the contaminated compound sodium lactate IP solution that had been administered to the patients on July 4, 2016. The drug had been contaminated with klebsiella bacteria. Six victim had not regained vision