Hisar, Haryana: A troubling situation has emerged in Hisar’s healthcare system after a newly-appointed eye surgeon was found to have an incomplete medical degree. The surgeon, Dr Vijay, performed 44 eye surgeries at Hisar General Hospital before the National Program for the Control of Blindness (NPCB) stepped in, halting his surgical practice due to the incomplete credentials. This decision has led to a disruption in eye care services, with no surgeries taking place at the hospital for nearly four months.

The shortage of qualified surgeons in Hisar's eye department has resulted in an overwhelming backlog of patients. For surgeries like cataract removals, paediatric retinopathy, and squint corrections, locals have been forced to seek treatment at Agroha Medical College or private hospitals, both of which are located outside the city.

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Surgeon shortage and hasty appointments

Hisar General Hospital’s eye department has long struggled with a shortage of qualified surgeons. With three positions for eye specialists, the department faced a vacancy crisis when all three appointed surgeons resigned, opting for private hospital positions. In a rush to fill the gap, the department appointed Dr Vijay, who was still pursuing his postgraduate studies. At the same time, Dr Jyoti, another qualified eye surgeon from Hansi Civil Hospital, was assigned to assist at the Hisar General Hospital.

Dr Jyoti, while handling OPD duties, performed 27 surgeries over four months, while Dr Vijay, under her supervision, performed 44 surgeries. However, the situation took a serious turn when the NPCB discovered that Dr Vijay had not completed his degree, prompting them to ban him from conducting any further surgeries.

As Hisar grapples with a healthcare crisis, the lack of qualified medical professionals and hasty appointments have left patients without timely treatment. The health department now faces pressure to fill the vacant positions and restore essential eye care services to the local community.