RAHIM YAR KHAN: Three cases of eyesight loss due to the use of an injection with adverse effects were reported in tehsil Sadiqabad, according to an initial report submitted to Deputy Commissioner (DC) Shakeel Ahmad Bhatti by Health Chief Executive Officer Dr Ghazanfar.

After a detailed inspection of eye hospitals by deputy district health officers and drug inspectors, the affected patients identified were Zahid Farooq, Moavia Ahmed, and Mumtaz Akhtar. They informed health officers that they had bought the injection, Avastin, through a middleman in Multan.

Mr Farooq, in his video message, stated that he bought four injections online from Mian Anwar, who dispatched injections via a private bus service. Mr Moavia said that he bought eight injections from Anwar, who works in a private hospital in Lahore. His vision improved with the first seven injections, but after the eighth injection, his eyesight was disturbed. These patients have been shifted to Multan for further treatment and investigation, Dr Ghazanfar said.

Published in Dawn, September 25th, 2023