3 weeks ago
TGHRC Recommends Compensation to 18 Cataract Surgery Victims
Some people in India went to a hospital called Jaya Hospital in Hanumakonda to have a small eye operation, called a cataract surgery, so they could see better.
The surgeries were part of a government programme called 'Kanti Velugu'.
Sadly, 18 patients lost their eyesight because of problems at the hospital.
The problems included unclean tools, poor hygiene, and not enough cleaning to stop germs.
Many patients got a very bad eye infection called Enterobacter Cloacae, and some of the patients later died.
A special group called the Telangana Human Rights Commission investigated what happened.
The group found that the hospital was not kept safe and that the people in charge had not supervised things properly.
The group said this broke the patients' right to life and health, which every person has.
Now the group has said that 12 patients who survived should each get four lakh rupees, and the families of the six patients who died should each get five lakh rupees.
The group also wants the doctors and staff who made mistakes to be found and punished, and for the government to report back on what it does.
The Telangana Human Rights Commission (TGHRC), headed by Dr. Justice Shameem Akther, recommended Rs.4 lakh each to 12 surviving victims and Rs.5 lakh each to kin of six deceased victims.
The 18 patients lost eyesight after cataract surgeries at Jaya Hospital, Hanumakonda, performed in 2018 under the government's 'Kanti Velugu' programme.
Reports disagree on the total compensation: one says Rs.82 lakh while another says Rs.78 lakh, which matches the component awards (Rs.48 lakh + Rs.30 lakh).
The suo-motu case followed news reports of September 29, 2018; the order was dated July 30, 2026, after an inquiry including L.V. Prasad Eye Institute medical records.
The commission cited serious deficiencies in operation theatre maintenance, hygiene, sterilisation, infection control and patient safety, and ordered a detailed enquiry to fix responsibility on erring doctors and staff.
- Who
- The Telangana Human Rights Commission (TGHRC), headed by Chairperson Dr. Justice Shameem Akther, and 18 patients who underwent cataract surgery at Jaya Hospital, Hanumakonda.
- What
- Recommended compensation — Rs.4 lakh each to 12 surviving victims and Rs.5 lakh each to the kin of six deceased victims — for loss of eyesight due to medical negligence.
- Where
- Jaya Hospital, Hanumakonda (also spelled Hanamkonda), Telangana, India.
- When
- Order dated July 30, 2026; surgeries took place in 2018 and the suo-motu case followed news reports published on September 29, 2018.
- Why
- Serious deficiencies in sterilisation, hygiene, infection control and patient safety caused severe Enterobacter Cloacae eye infections, violating victims' right to life, health and human dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
Key facts
- Total compensation
- Rs.82 lakh per one report; Rs.78 lakh per another (component awards total Rs.78 lakh)
- Surviving victims
- 12, at Rs.4 lakh each
- Deceased victims
- 6, kin to receive Rs.5 lakh each
- Hospital
- Jaya Hospital, Hanumakonda
- Government programme
- Kanti Velugu (2018)
- Cause
- Severe Enterobacter Cloacae eye infection
- Order date
- July 30, 2026
- Legal basis
- Section 18, Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993; Article 21, Constitution of India
Quotes
Telangana Human Rights Commission
Commission that oversees human rights in Telangana
“Following a comprehensive inquiry, the panel concluded that gross medical negligence and systematic failures directly caused catastrophic bacterial eye infections among the patients.”
NDTV








