Barwani botched eye surgery: No charge sheet, surgeon’s suspension revoked

Seven months after over 60 people lost vision in one of their eyes in botched cataract surgeries at an eye camp in Barwani, the public health and family welfare department on Tuesday revoked suspension of the district’s in-charge civil surgeon.

Seven months after over 60 people lost vision in one of their eyes in botched cataract surgeries at an eye camp in Barwani, the public health and family welfare department on Tuesday revoked suspension of the district’s in-charge civil surgeon.

Eighty-six patients had undergone cataract operations at the Barwani district hospital between November 16 and 23 last year. (HT file photo)

The suspension order was revoked as no charge sheet was issued against the doctor within the stipulated 90 days time. A charge sheet was filed against the surgeon on April 27 this year, after a lapse of three months.

Civil surgeon and six others were suspended on Dec 7 last year

Civil surgeon and chief superintendent of district hospital, Dr Amar Singh Vishnar, and six others, including an ophthalmologist, four nurses and one lab technician, were suspended on December 7 last year due to gross negligence in conducting eye surgeries at the free eye camp organised by the public health and family welfare department.

66 people had lost vision in one eye post surgery

Eighty-six patients had undergone cataract operations at the Barwani district hospital between November 16 and 23. After the surgery, most of the patients complained of irritation in their operated eyes and later 66 people lost their vision.

The petitioner’s counsel, VK Patwari, argued that no charge sheet was served upon Dr Vishnar within the stipulated period of 90 days after the suspension order was passed on December 7 and pleaded that the order of suspension be revoked.

Dr Vishnar, at present, is on leave after joining as a paediatrician at district hospital in Barwani. He told HT that he was served charge sheet later on April 27 and an inquiry was on in the case.

A Recap

Chief superintendent of district hospital Dr Amar Singh Vishnar and six others were suspended on December 7

On April 30, Dr Vishnar filed a writ petition challenging the suspension order passed against him

Petitioner’s counsel argued that no charge sheet was served upon Dr Vishnar within the stipulated period of 90 days and pleaded that the order of suspension be revoked.