Bengaluru: A 55-year-old man died during preparations for a cataract surgery at a private eye care hospital in Bengaluru, with his family alleging medical negligence and accusing the hospital of failing to properly inform them about his condition and transfer to another hospital.
The deceased has been identified as Sajan, a security guard, who had been admitted for what the family described as a routine cataract operation on Thursday.
Following the incident, the Banaswadi Police registered an unnatural death report and initiated an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death.
Family alleges lack of communication from hospital
According to Sajan’s son Raju, the family had admitted him to the eye care hospital believing it to be a simple and safe surgical procedure.
“We trusted the hospital, thinking it was a small surgery, but the next thing we heard is that he is dead. Moreover, he was not even at the designated hospital,” Raju alleged.
He claimed that the family was never informed that Sajan had been shifted to another hospital in Banaswadi after his condition deteriorated.
Raju further alleged that hospital staff stopped responding to calls and messages following the incident.
He also questioned why the hospital reportedly closed nearly three hours before its scheduled closing time on Thursday.
The hospital authorities, however, reportedly did not provide a clear explanation regarding the early closure and claimed they were unaware of the reason.
Dispute over surgery consent and medicines
The family also raised concerns regarding the hospital’s handling of the surgery process and medical preparations.
According to Raju, the hospital had quoted approximately Rs 26,000 for the cataract surgery. He said the family had initially not given consent for the procedure because they were still considering the expenses involved.
Despite this, Raju alleged that hospital officials continued to insist on proceeding with the surgery.
“We had not bought the medicines the hospital had sought for my father. I don’t know how they could start the surgery without those medicines,” he said.
The family has questioned whether standard medical protocols were properly followed before beginning the treatment.
Hospital denies negligence allegations
Responding to the allegations, a hospital official stated that Sajan experienced sudden breathing complications during preparations for the surgery.
According to Nagendra, marketing manager of the hospital, the patient had an existing nephrology-related health issue which reportedly led to breathing difficulties.
He clarified that no major surgical procedure had yet been performed and that Sajan had only been administered eye drops to numb his eyes before the operation.
“He suddenly started experiencing breathing difficulties,” the official said.
The hospital staff then immediately shifted him to a nearby multi-speciality hospital for emergency treatment.
However, according to the hospital, Sajan died on the way to the other medical facility.
Nagendra further stated that doctors at the multi-speciality hospital later confirmed that the patient had suffered a cardiac arrest.
Family disputes hospital’s medical claims
Sajan’s family has strongly denied the hospital’s claim that he had any major pre-existing health issues.
Raju maintained that his father was healthy and had not been suffering from any serious medical conditions before being admitted for the eye surgery.
The conflicting versions from the hospital and the family have now become central to the ongoing inquiry.
The incident has also raised concerns regarding patient communication, emergency response protocols and transparency in private healthcare institutions.
Police begin inquiry into death
Police officials said an unnatural death report has been registered and further investigation is underway.
Authorities are expected to examine medical records, hospital procedures and statements from both the hospital staff and family members to determine whether there was any negligence involved.
The case has drawn attention locally, particularly because cataract surgery is generally considered a routine and low-risk procedure.
Meanwhile, the grieving family has demanded a thorough investigation and accountability if any lapses in treatment or communication are found during the probe.