A patient who suffered permanent loss of sight due to the use of 'Prednisolone Acetate' eye drops after cataract surgery at a government hospital has demanded Rs. 100 million in compensation from Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and eight others for the damage caused to his eyes and potential threats to his life.
The victim, Makkari Rajaratnam of Kandapola, sent a Letter of Demand through Invictus Law Firm, seeking compensation from Keheliya Rambukwella, Janaka Chandraguptha, the National Medicine Regulatory Authority, Prof. S.D. Jayaratne, Dr. Vijith Gunasekera, Dr. Asela Gunawardene, Dr. Rohan Edirisinghe, Dr. Mahendra Seneviratne, and Chamee Chemist (Pvt) Ltd of Yakkala.
The Letter of Demand warns of legal action if the compensation is not paid.
According to Invictus Law Firm, their client underwent cataract surgery at Nuwara Eliya General Hospital on April 05, 2023, and was discharged the next day with a prescription for Prednisolone Acetate Eye Drops. After using these drops, the client experienced tearing, discomfort, pain, and headaches. Subsequent medical investigation at the National Eye Hospital revealed that the client was gradually losing sight in the operated eye due to the eye drops being substandard and leading to Endophthalmitis in patients.
As of the date of the demand, the client has completely lost vision in the operated eye, causing significant hardships in daily life and rendering the client unable to work or perform basic activities without assistance.
