Compensation given to free cataract camp victims

Tiruchirapalli, Aug 28 (UNI) Health Minister M R K Panneerselvam today distributed compensation of Rs one lakh each to 29 people who were undergoing treatment in a private eye hospital here for complications after botched up eye surgeries at a free camp at Kaduvanur Village in Villupuram District of Tamil Nadu recently.

Mr Pannerselvam expressed regret over the episode on behalf of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi who had announced a compensation of Rs one lakh to each patient from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

He told reporters here suitable action would be taken against the hospital authorities after the technical team and laboratories submitted reports.

The government had decided to enforce strict rules for conducting free eye camps hereafter, he said.

He was acompanied by his Cabinet Colleagues K N Nehru and N Selvaraj and District Collector T Soundiah.

Meanwhile, the State Health Department has issued showcause notice to the hospital authorities to explain in detail the whole incident.

Only after receipt of the explanation and the report of the four- member team, suitable action would be taken against the erring medical team which performed the cataract surgeries and those who organised the free eye camp, official sources said.

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