The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the payment of compensation to individuals who lost their eyesight after being administered the medication Prednisolone acetate following eye surgeries in 2023.
Accordingly, each affected patient will receive compensation of Rs. 1 million.
Between March 3 and May 16, 2023, several patients who underwent eye surgeries at the Nuwara Eliya District General Hospital reportedly lost their vision or suffered further visual impairment after being administered the medication.
Based on the findings of an investigation into the incident, compensation has already been paid to 17 patients who lost their eyesight following eye surgeries at the Nuwara Eliya District General Hospital.
Additionally, a technical committee appointed to investigate cases of vision impairment associated with the use of the medication at hospitals other than the Nuwara Eliya District General Hospital during the same period recommended that compensation should also be granted to four patients who lost their eyesight.
Accordingly, after considering the proposal submitted by the Minister of Health and Mass Media, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the payment of compensation of Rs. 1 million each to the four affected patients.
