Indore : The AIIMS experts team put to rest the allegations against the eye surgeon in the case of botched surgeries of 42 patients in Barwani and said chances of the doctor’s fault were negligible, as he is an experienced surgeon with years of experience.
However, they will wait for the final probe report to reach any conclusion. The team members stated that only 3-4 patients out of 42 may get their vision back.
The 6-member team reached Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Science to inspect treatment given to patients, who have lost their vision after the cataract surgery.
Led by Dr Atul Kumar and Dr Sudarshan Khokhar, the team checked 42 patients in the hospital, including three from MY Hospital who were brought there, and expressed their satisfaction.
Addressing media, Dr Atul Kumar said, “The ongoing treatment is correct and they have guided the doctors to call them for any help. We are ready to take the patients to the AIIMS if they don’t recover here.” Dr Kumar added that when the doctors told them about the surgeon, who has experience of more than 15 years and also performed over 30,000 surgeries, and after checking the patients, it seems that it was not the doctor’s fault and the infection took place due to poor saline, fluid, medicines and hygiene of the OT.
“Doctors have taken the samples of the culture of OT and OT table, medicines and equipment and everything will be cleared after the report,” he said.
On the chances of recovery, Dr Kumar said, “Vision of only 3-4 patients could be retrieved through medicines and treatment but the chances of retrieval of eyesight are nil.”
Meanwhile, Dr Sudarshan Khokhar said cornea transplant is the only option for other patients to get their vision back. He said that they had emptied one of the wards in the AIIMS for these patients and they are ready to treat them there but the treatment in Indore is correct.
Meanwhile, Joint Director, Health Dr Sharad Pandit said that the team would submit its final report to the senior officials which would be forwarded to the Centre. He said that they have deployed the health officials for 24X7 in the hospital to support the doctors and patients.
MPMOA up in arms against action on doc
Madhya Pradesh Medical Officers’ Association raised its voice against action taken against Dr Radheshyam Palod and was planning to lodge its protest with the government and the health minister.
General Secretary of MPMOA Dr Madhav Hasani said, “The surgeon has been suspended by the officials without any probe. We will demand proper probe in the matter as the surgeon is not responsible for the incident and supply and quality of medicines should be checked.” He said that they will hold a meeting with the members in Bhopal and will decide the future course of action.
Patients facing trouble due to language
The Health Department officials and administration of SAIMS are giving their best to treat the patients but the patients are facing language problem as they are speaking native ‘Nimadi’ language which is not interpreted by the doctors and staff properly. Family members of the patients said, “We are getting proper treatment here but the doctors and staff are not getting our language. We have to call some interpreter who can speak Hindi and Nimadi both.” Similarly, doctors also facing the same problem.
Camps shouldn’t be organised: Dr Kumar
AIIMS’ retina expert Dr Kumar said, “We have stopped holding camps for cataract surgeries since last eight years due to risk of infection in other places. The only way to stop repetition of these cases is to call the patients to the hospital and treat them there only.”
