The district administration has permitted Choithram Netralaya to reopen its sealed operation theaters despite the unknown cause of infection in patients following cataract surgery.
The decision, made by the Collector, follows a report from a three-member probe panel that could not pinpoint the cause of the infections.
However, the hospital’s permission is contingent on their submission of three negative culture reports before conducting any surgeries.
Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr. BS Saitya stated that six out of nine patients have recovered their eyesight, while the remaining three are still undergoing treatment, with their eyesight gradually improving.
As the patients show signs of recovery and the infection’s cause remains elusive, the hospital is allowed to resume operations under strict conditions.
Dr. Saitya emphasized that the hospital must undergo culture testing and submit three consecutive negative reports before proceeding with surgeries. Upon compliance, the hospital will be permitted to conduct 100 cataract surgeries and organize camps only after reporting on the outcomes of these surgeries.
A three-member probe panel, led by NPCB nodal officer Dr. Pradeep Goyal, along with Dr. Anubha Shrivastava and Dr. Shweta Walia, assessed the condition of seven patients on Monday, with one patient unable to attend.
The panel swiftly submitted its findings to the Collector, Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO), and the regional health director on the same day.
Eight patients from Indore, Ujjain, and Dhar districts underwent cataract surgeries at Choithram Netralaya during a camp under the National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB) on March 20. Subsequently, 79 cataract surgeries were conducted, and patients were discharged the following day.
