Egypt: 6 October Hospital Officials Face Verdict Over Mass Blindness

Giza, Egypt — Ekhbary News Agency

The Doki Misdemeanor Court is scheduled to deliver its verdict tomorrow, Wednesday, concerning ten officials from the 6 October Health Insurance Hospital. These officials stand accused of causing permanent blindness in 78 patients, a situation that, to put it mildly, points to profound negligence. This case underscores the critical need for stringent medical oversight and accountability in healthcare institutions.

Investigation Reveals Severe Negligence

Public prosecution investigations revealed that patients contracted severe bacterial infections inside their eyeballs after undergoing cataract removal surgeries in August 2025. This infection led to endophthalmitis—inflammation of the inner eye—and a sharp decline in vision, culminating in some cases in complete eye removal and permanent loss of sight, legally classified as a permanent disability. The investigations explicitly highlighted gross technical and administrative deficiencies in the hospital's sterilization and infection control systems. Medical tools and injection solutions were inadequately sterilized, and required safety protocols during operations were not followed, contributing to the widespread infection and exacerbating the patients' health crisis.