Bhopal/Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh): As many as eight elderly persons complained of vision loss after undergoing a free cataract operation at a private hospital in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior. The victims were referred to the hospital for surgery following a check-up at a free eye camp, which the government said was unauthorised.

The doctors at the camp informed that they have a serious cataract and referred them to a Gwalior hospital for operation. Following the free surgery, the victims complained about the problem in visibility. They filed a complaint at the local police station against the hospital authorities.

According to information, an eye camp was organised on December 9 at Saraswati Shishu Mandir School in Gormi by Kalra Hospital, Gwalior. Around 50 individuals were examined, and eight patients were referred for cataract surgeries. The surgeries were conducted the same day at Kalra Hospital.

The affected patients include Chiranjilal Sakhwar (60), Rajveer Singh (45), Chunni Bai (65), Bhagirath (70), Bhuri Bai (58), and Chameli Bai (60). After returning to their village, the patients reported complete vision loss.

One patient, Chiranjilal, alleged that the wrong eye was operated on, leaving him blind in both eyes. Another patient, Chunni Bai, stated that she could see partially before the surgery but is now completely blind.

The eye camp was unauthorised, says health dept

According to sources, senior officials at the health department in Bhind alleged that the camp was unauthorised and no permission was given by the health department to set it up. Bhind CMHO and Gwalior CMHO have assured that an in-depth investigation will be conducted in the matter.

Meanwhile, the victims have filed a complaint with the local police against the doctors at Kalra Hospital. They claimed the doctors dismissed their grievances and advised them to continue medication.