NHRC issues notices over botched cataract surgeries at Gorakhpur Hospital

Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary and the Senior Superintendent of Police, Gorakhpur, in connection with a botched cataract surgery at a private hospital, which resulted in at least nine patients losing an eye and nine others losing vision in one eye.

Reportedly, the surgeries were conducted on 30 patients during an Eye Camp on 1st February 2026 at the private hospital. 

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that in a shocking incident, nine patients lost vision in one eye, and another nine patients had to get an eye removed after developing infections following cataract surgeries at a private hospital in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. The incident prompted authorities to seal the facility and order an inquiry.

The incident took place at New Rajesh Hitech Hospital on February 1, during an eye camp where 30 patients underwent cataract surgeries. They said that within 24 hours of the surgeries, several patients began complaining of severe pain and discharge from the operated eye. 

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The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise serious issues of violation of human rights of the victims. Therefore, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh and the Senior Superintendent of Police, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks, the PIB stated.

According to the media report, carried on 20th February 2026, the patients started complaining of severe pain and discharge from the operated eye within 24 hours of the surgeries. A total 18 patients developed infections after which they were referred to Delhi, Lucknow and Varanasi for medical treatment as their condition worsened.

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