Petition, PIL filed in HC on MMCH fiasco

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Dec 11: A division bench of Justice Rishikesh Roy of the Gauhati High Court has admitted the writ petition filed by five patients who lost their eye sight after cataract surgery at the MMCH recently, and issued a notice asking Dispur to explore all options if any chances for advanced treatment that may ensure the five patients get back their eye sight are left. The court asked the government to ensure further treatment for the five patients, if there are any more chances, before the next hearing of the case on January 6, 2016.

The five patients said in their petition that they should be given advanced treatment and adequate compensation by the government. They also appealed to the court to punish the erring people whose negligence led to the loss of their eye sight.

Meanwhile, a PIL was filed in the High Court by Rajeeb Kalita requesting the court to ensure that the Assam Government and the Director and the Head of the Department of Regiol Institute of Opthalmology, GMCH to termite the license of Dr. Bindu Singla, who conducted the operation. He also requested the court to ensure that the authorities do not entrust the erring doctor and the nurse to any such eye operation.

Kalita also requested the court to direct the Government of Assam to institute a supervisory committee under the auspices of the medical colleges of the State for regular monitoring of eye surgeries being conducted in the MMCH or in various district-level hospitals in the State. Kalita also requested the court to direct the respondent authorities to initiate appropriate discipliry and crimil proceedings against the erring doctor and the nurse to termite them from services.  

The PIL was heard by Chief Justice (acting) T Vaiphei and Justice MR Pathak, and issued show-cause notices to 14 respondents.