A day after it was revealed that the eyesight of around 40 diabetes patients in Lahore had been affected by substandard injections, new cases of vision impairment have emerged in multiple cities across Punjab.
Punjab’s caretaker Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare, Nasir Jamal, disclosed that counterfeit injections were being sold by separate dealers in Lahore, Kasur, Multan, and Sadiqabad. Authorities are currently gathering data on those involved in the distribution of fake injections in various cities across the province.
As of now, no arrests have been made among the individuals operating within the network of fake injection sales. However, requests to file cases against those responsible for producing counterfeit injections have been submitted.
Additionally, a list is being compiled of individuals who have been adversely affected by the use of these fake injections.
The Punjab Health Department has taken action by forming a committee, led by ophthalmologist Dr. Asad Aslam, to investigate the matter. This comes after Pakistan Peoples Party leader Chaudhry Manzoor disclosed that his brother and a friend experienced vision problems after receiving these injections in their eyes.
The injections reportedly caused eye infections, leading to vision impairment. Chaudhry Manzoor noted that when he admitted his brother to a Lahore hospital, 18 other patients with similar conditions were already receiving medical treatment.
Punjab’s caretaker Health Minister, Dr. Javed Akram, confirmed the reports and stated that at least 40 individuals have been affected by these substandard injections. He emphasized that the entire stock of substandard injections has been removed from the market.
Dr. Aslam explained that the injections had a detrimental effect on the retinas of diabetes patients. Out of the 40 affected individuals, 12 patients have reportedly suffered permanent loss of eyesight as a result of this healthcare scandal.
