On Saturday, almost after four years, eye operations were resumed in the Barwani hospital in an incident where 67 persons lost their vision in one eye during cataract surgeries.

Barwani collector Amit Tomar told TOI that orders have been issued that required protocol and hygiene should be followed strictly during surgeries. No targets have been set for eye operations. Only safety of patients is priority, so numbers won’t matter.

Chief medical and health officer Anita Singare told TOI that on Saturday, nine patients were operated by a surgeon from district hospital, Jhabua and team from Barwani hospital. They are selecting patients at block level through various parameters and getting them to district hospital Barwani for treatment.

Eye surgeon from Jhabua district hospital, Dr GS Awasya, who performed the surgery on Saturday said that the (Barwani) hospital is still lacking proper resources, therefore he had to bring his instruments from Jhabua for the surgery.

86 persons were operated for removal of cataract at district hospital Barwani, between November 16 and November 21, 2015. Out of these, 67 patients lost vision in one eye while one patient turned blind as he had vision only in one eye.

A state- level committee including additional chief secretary was constituted to investigate the botched- up surgery. Preliminary investigation had found that operating microscope and surgical blades were infected, OT floor was covered with fungus and no protocol was followed.

On March 16, 2018 report of the state-level probe committee was listed in assembly without any concrete conclusion. Seven officials including ophthalmologist, an eye surgeon, OT assistants and nurses were suspended during this investigation. People who had lost vision are getting pension of Rs 5000 per month.