The government and the management of Al Shifa Trust Eye Hospital have launched an investigation after several patients lost their eyesight after operations.
So far, 80 such cases have been reported where patients lost their sight after eye drops were administered to them following glaucoma operations.
The management of Al Shifa Trust says that they are investigating the reasons, admitting that the condition of at least nine patients deteriorated after the use of eye drops.
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Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, which is vital for a clear vision. Al Shifa Trust is one of the leading and most advanced hospitals in the country providing eye care services. However, a series of disturbing incidents in the past couple of weeks has jeopardized its repute.
Manzoor Ahmed Kiani, a 53-year-old police official from Bagh, Azad Kashmir, told a newspaper that he got operated for Glaucoma on Jan 8.
After the operation, eye drops were administered to me. I don’t know what was wrong with the eye drops because I had a severe infection and lost my eyesight. The same thing happened to the patient next to my bed.
Manzoor said that he is the breadwinner for a family of eight, including six children, and the incident has created a lot of difficulties for him. He is also worried about his children’s future.
Former Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf also spoke against the incident as a woman of his constituency was among the victims.
The media coordinator of Al Shifa Trust, Mirza Riaz Baig, says that the allegation of 80 people losing their eyesight because of Al Shifa Trust is not entirely correct.
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He said that the management is currently examining the reasons and will share their findings with the media.
He maintained that the Trust provides free treatment to 70 percent of its patients, while only 10 percent of the patients pay full expenses because they refuse free treatment.
Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan’s (DRAP) Chief Executive Officer Dr. Asim Rauf, said that they are also starting an investigation.
I am directing the Pharmacy Service Division to look into the matter and submit a detailed report regarding the incident.
Dr. Rauf admitted that he has never experienced any such cases in the past.
