Cabinet approval has been granted to compensate 17 patients who had developed complications after undergoing cataract surgery at the Nuwara Eliya District Hospital, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said in Parliament today (Jan. 07).

Speaking further, he said that the committee appointed to look into the issue, had submitted its report and legal action will be taken against those involved in the import of the substandard drug.

In May 2023, the eyesight of several individuals who underwent eye surgery at the Nuwara Eliya District General Hospital had weakened due to the presence of germs in a medicine imported from India.

It was reported that the eyesight of the patients who underwent surgeries after April 05, 2023 had weakened or was completely lost as a result of a medicine that was given to them following the surgeries.

Meanwhile, the cabinet decision in this regard is as follows :

Approval was granted at the cabinet meeting held on 12-02-2024 to appoint a technical committee to determine the amount of compensation that should be payable to several patients who had lost their eyesight due to undergoing eye surgery at the Nuwara Eliya District Hospital.

Accordingly, a committee was appointed under the chairmanship of an additional secretary of the Ministry of Health, and the recommendations were forwarded regarding the amount of compensation payable to them after studying the relevant matters. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Health and Mass Media to pay the compensation in the following manner to the 17 patients affected due to the relevant matter based on the said recommendations.

• – to pay the compensation of Rs. 1,000,000 for each for 12 patients.
  – to pay the compensation of Rs. 750,000 for each for 02 patients
  – to pay the compensation of Rs. 700,000 for one patient.
  – to pay the compensation of Rs. 250,000 for each for 02 patients.