Imphal, March 13: Even as the controversy over the death of a woman patient in the maternity ward of RIMS Hospital due to alleged negligence of the doctors is still raging, another instance of patients losing their eye sights or their condition worsening after undergoing cataract operation due to the negligence of the attending doctors has come to light.

The aggrieved family members of five patients whose eyesights have deteriorated after undergoing the operation during a free cataract operation camp organised under the aegis of Bishnupur District Blindness Control Society at Bishnupur District Hospital on February 23 have demanded the State Government to pay compensation as well as to take up action against the doctors responsible for it.

The five victims whose eyesights have been either lost or deteriorated after the operation due to alleged negligence of the doctors are identified as Thoudam Ibecha Devi (47) w/o Thoudam Kullachandra of Heinoubok Maning Leikai, Pebam Achoubi Devi (85) w/o Pebam Biramangol of Nambol Phoijing Chingning, Huidrom Ibobi (80) s/o late Huidrom Sajou of Ishok Maning Leikai, Moirangthem Leirik Devi (68) w/o Moirangthem Tomba of Moirang Kumam Leikai and Wahengbam Manao Devi (85) w/o late Wahengbam Ahanjao of Nambol Khakhong.

In all 16 patients reportedly registered for the camp conducted by a team of doctors comprising of Dr P Binata Devi, Dr Kh Rajendro and Dr RK Bidyarani under the overall supervision of Dr Y Yaima of Khurai Thoidingjam leikai, who is the State Programme Officer of Manipur Blindness Control Society.

Addressing a press conference here today, the aggrieved family members informed that the matter was brought to the notice of Dr Y Yaima.

Sensing the gravity of the situation, Dr Yaima suggested that the patients be taken to Guwahati for treatment and he himself volunteered to lead.

Subsequently, all the five patients were taken to Shri Sankaradeva Nethralaya Clinic located at Beltora in Guwahati on February 27.After examining the condition of the patients, the doctors of the Clinic pronounced their helplessness and told the patient parties to discuss the matter with Dr Yaima himself.

On arrival at Imphal, the condition of the eye sight of Huidrom Ibobi deteriorated so much so that he had to be taken to the residence of eye specialist Dr Bhajao at Pishumthong Ningom Leirak for further treatment on March 9.During the treatment, Dr Bhajao told the family members that both the eyes of Ibobi were dead and putrefied and should be removed at once as it might other organs of the body.

Consequently, the patient was admitted to JN Hospital, Porompat on March 6 and his eyes were operated and removed by Dr Yaima and Dr Ibetombi.

The family members further disclosed that written complaints highlighting the plight of the remaining four patients and requesting for taking up action against the doctors responsible for the present condition as well as for giving Rs 5 lakhs each as compensation to each of the victims have been forwarded to the Deputy Commissioner of Bishnupur District Aleng Shimray who is also the chairman of the Bishnupur District Blindness Committee and CMO of Bishnupur District Dr Gulapi.

But so far there has been no response to the written complaint.

While drawing the attention of the authorities concerned in this regard, the e aggrieved family members have also warned of launching agitation with the support of the civil organisations if necessary remedial measures are not initiated by the Government.

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