•A cataract surgery camp in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, led to a medical disaster, leaving 9 patients blind in one eye and 9 others without an eye.
•The surgeries, performed on February 1 at New Rajesh Hi-Tech Hospital under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, resulted in a severe bacterial infection within 24 hours.
•Patients experienced intense pain, swelling, and discharge, with 18 rushing back to the hospital; some were referred to super-specialty hospitals in Varanasi, Lucknow, and New Delhi.
•The Uttar Pradesh health department's culture report confirmed bacterial infection, leading to a magisterial inquiry, sealing of the hospital's eye department, and proceedings to cancel its registration.
•The incident has sparked political outrage, with the opposition accusing the state government of negligence, while the ruling BJP emphasizes swift administrative action.
