Himachal govt orders probe into 'botched' cataract surgery

The Himachal Pradesh government has ordered a probe after five patients who underwent cataract surgery at a hospital developed infection, Health Minister Kaul Singh said today.
Making a suo moto statement in the state assembly, Singh said a three-member inquiry committee has been constituted to look into the incident.
He said two of the patients had been referred to PGI, Chandigarh. "They (five) can be treated or their vision can be lost."
Thepatients, in the age group of 65 to 73 years, underwent cataract surgery at the DrRajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda (Kangra) on December 14, Singh said.
The surgical dye 'trypan' might be responsible for the post-surgery infection, he added.

The minister said the company manufacturing the dye would face legal action ifthe samples of the dye used in the surgery were found to be compromised.
"If there is negligence on the part of doctors, action would beinitiated against them too," Singh added.