M A I N   N E W S

Go to eye camp, get blinded !
From Chander Parkash
Tribune News Service

PATHRALA (Bathinda), June 12 — At least 20 residents of Pathrala, Bandi and Chak Ruldusinghwala villages of this district have lost their eye sight or have been rendered with low vision after they were allegedly forcibly operated upon at a camp organised at the petrol station at Doomwali village about three months ago by a team of doctors.

Most of the villagers, who have lost eye sight or have been left with low vision, alleged they went to the camp for getting some medicines but they were forcibly operated upon.

They also alleged that in the pamphlets distributed by the organisers in connection with the eye check up camp it was mentioned that a renowned doctor would perform the operations. However, the operations were performed by some other doctors.

Mrs Dhan Kaur of Pathrala village says, “I underwent surgery of my left eye and after the operation I cannot see anything despite the fact that earlier I was able to see with same eye.”

Mr Sukhdev Singh, another resident, alleged doctors in the camp forcibly performed surgery of one eye of his wife and after that her vision had been reduced. He said his brother had also met with the same fate.

Mr Tehal Singh, another victim, alleged he had totally lost eye sight of his right eye after the operation performed at the camp. He added that out of 40 residents of Pathrala village who underwent surgery, many had lost their eye sight or had been rendered with low vision.

Mr Sivli Ram of Chak Ruldusinghwala village alleged that after the operation his eye sight had reduced considerably and he was unable to look after himself after the operation.

Mr Gurcharan Singh of Bandi village said he had lost some vision of his left eye after the operation.

These villagers said they would not go to get any treatment from a free camp in future. They pointed out that spectacles given to them were of no use as these could not enhance the vision. They also pointed out that they were now getting treatment from other doctors so that they could regain their lost or reduced vision.

The victims have also urged the state government to make arrangements for their proper treatment and demanded that strict action should be taken against those who had spoiled the vision of their eyes.

Dr Bawa Ram, Civil Surgeon, when contacted, said that as per the official records the organisers had taken permission to organise the eye check-up camp.

Mr Jabar Jang Singh, owner of the petrol station at Doomwal and organiser of the camp, said the camp was organised after taking permission from the Civil Surgeon's office in the memory of his father. He added that all measures required under the circumstances were taken and the operations were performed by a renowned doctor and his team.

He alleged certain people of Pathrala village who harboured enmity with him were trying to malign him by using the innocent villagers as a tool for their own interests. He added that certain villagers who underwent surgery could not recover their eye sight fully as they did not take post-operation care fully. He said that 600 patients were examined and 100 operations were performed at the camp.