Sagar/Bhopal, July 1 (IANS). The preliminary investigation into the case of alleged loss of vision of a 19-month-old child after treatment at Banda Civil Hospital located in Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh has been completed. Investigation revealed that the child was suffering from malnutrition and severe Vitamin A deficiency, due to which he had developed corneal ulcers.
The report also clarifies that the child’s vision loss was not due to the normal saline nasal drops allegedly given to him.
Acting Chief Medical and Health Officer Devesh Pateria said that the child is currently admitted in AIIMS Bhopal, where doctors have planned for his cornea transplant.
“The child was malnourished and had developed corneal ulcers due to severe vitamin A deficiency,” he said. The batch of nasal drops in question was not available in the hospital’s stock. Doctors have also clarified that normal saline nasal drops cannot cause vision loss.
He also said that investigation is going on as to how these drops were given to the child.
The government has assured that all possible help will be provided in the treatment of the child.
The matter came to light when the child’s father Indraj Vishwakarma alleged that during treatment at Banda Civil Hospital on May 29, his 19-month-old son Vinay was mistakenly given nasal drops instead of eye medicine.
The family says that after putting the drops, the child suffered severe burning sensation and later he lost his eyesight.
When the condition worsened, the child was first referred to District Hospital Sagar and then to AIIMS Bhopal for better treatment.
Following the complaint, the Health Department had constituted a three-member committee to investigate the matter. The committee submitted its preliminary report after two days of investigation.
The committee concluded that the child’s eye problems were caused by malnutrition, severe vitamin A deficiency and resulting corneal ulcers.
However, the committee also said that the matter is not yet completely closed and investigation is ongoing into how the nasal drops were given to the child.
The police is also investigating this matter separately. Officials said that if any kind of negligence comes to light, appropriate action will be taken.
–IANS
AMT/DKP