On February 1, a cataract surgery camp was conducted at the 'New Rajesh Hitek Hospital' in Sikriganj, Gorakhpur, where 30 patients underwent surgery. Unfortunately, within just 24 hours, severe infections started to develop in the eyes of the patients, leading to deteriorating health for 18 individuals. Due to a lack of appropriate medical treatment, nine of these patients have permanently lost their eyesight. In light of this serious situation, the local administration has sealed the ophthalmology department of the hospital and ordered a magistrate investigation by the District Magistrate.

The victims have shared chilling accounts of their experiences, indicating that symptoms began immediately after returning home from the hospital, with many experiencing bleeding and discharge from their eyes. One victim, Sanjay Singh from Indari, reported that his father's bleeding did not stop, necessitating further trips to hospitals in Varanasi and then Delhi. Another patient, Rekha, noted that her mother-in-law and several villagers faced unbearable pain and infection after the camp, with some patients requiring their eyes to be surgically removed due to the severity of their conditions.

This unfortunate incident raises questions about the oversight and safety protocols in place for surgical procedures at hospitals, particularly in rural areas. The local government's actions, including sealing the hospital's eye department and initiating investigations, reflect a serious concern for public health and safety. This case underscores the critical need for stringent standards and monitoring in medical facilities to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.