The National Human Rights Commission has directed the Chhattisgarh government to pay compensation to 16 patients who had lost their eyesight in a cataract surgery at the Community Health Centre at Baghbhera in Dhamtari district in December 2012.

According to a NHRC release, the state chief secretary has been asked to release payment of 50,000 rupees each to 16 patients in addition to a similar amount paid by the government from the Chief Minister’s relief fund. Besides, NHRC has also directed the state government to launch criminal prosecution against those who administered sub-standard medicines to the patients.

State Chief Secretary has been asked to submit compliance report along with the proof of payment within eight weeks along with a status report on the disciplinary proceedings initiated against the three doctors who conducted the cataract surgery on the patients.