Madhya Pradesh: Toddler Loses Eyesight After Treatment at Sagar Hospital

A 19-month-old boy allegedly lost his eyesight after receiving treatment at a government hospital in Madhya Pradesh's Sagar district, prompting the Health Department to order an inquiry into allegations of medical negligence. The child had been taken to Banda Civil Hospital on May 29 with complaints of cold, cough and redness in the eyes, but his family claims his condition deteriorated following treatment.

The incident has triggered outrage in Sagar, a district overseen by Madhya Pradesh Health Minister Rajendra Shukla. While the family has accused hospital staff of negligence, health officials have constituted a three-member committee to investigate the allegations. Police are also conducting a separate inquiry. Madhya Pradesh Horror: Doctor Leaves Surgical Napkin in Female Patient’s Stomach in Khargone, Probe Ordered.

Family Alleges Wrong Medicine Was Put in Child's Eyes

According to the family, Indraj Vishwakarma, a resident of Bhusa Kamalpur village, took his son to Banda Civil Hospital after the child developed mild symptoms, including cold, cough and redness in the eyes.

After obtaining an OPD slip, the family consulted paediatrician Dr. Himanshu Verma, who allegedly prescribed eye drops, paracetamol syrup, an injection and other medicines. The father has alleged that during treatment, a medicine intended to clear phlegm was mistakenly administered into the child's eyes. Satna Shocker: Patient Dies After Ambulance Door Jams at District Hospital Gate in Madhya Pradesh.

According to the family, the child's condition worsened rapidly after the treatment. They remained at the hospital for three to four hours, hoping for improvement, before he was referred to the district hospital in Sagar.

Doctors there reportedly advised the family to shift the child to AIIMS Bhopal for advanced treatment.

Family Claims AIIMS Confirmed Permanent Vision Loss

The child was subsequently taken to AIIMS Bhopal, where specialist doctors examined him.

According to the father, doctors informed the family that the child had completely lost his eyesight, allegedly due to wrong medication or medical negligence.

"My son's life has been destroyed," the father alleged in his complaint filed at Banda Police Station. "He was taken to hospital for cough, cold and redness in the eyes. Now he will never be able to see." The family has demanded strict action against the doctor and hospital staff and sought an impartial investigation into the incident.

Following the allegations, Sagar Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr. Ganga Prasad Arya constituted a three-member inquiry committee to investigate the case. The committee has been directed to submit its report within a week.

Arya said an impartial inquiry is underway and will examine the medicines prescribed, what was actually administered to the child and whether any negligence occurred. He added that strict action would be taken if anyone is found responsible. Police are also conducting a parallel investigation into the matter.

The latest case comes days after another alleged instance of medical negligence in Sagar.

A patient, Devendra Pathak, died during treatment at Bundelkhand Medical College, with his family alleging that an overdose of anaesthesia and delayed medical intervention led to his death. Following that incident, Health Minister Rajendra Shukla ordered an inquiry into the allegations. The findings of both investigations are awaited.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 28, 2026 11:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).