Chaos at Colombo Eye Hospital: Patients face hours of standing amid severe congestion

• Lack of hygiene and inhumane treatment raise concerns

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

Colombo Eye Hospital is facing unprecedented congestion and mismanagement, leaving patients many of them senior citizens struggling to access care in inhumane conditions. 

 Daily Mirror’s inquiries revealed a series of alarming issues at the hospital where patients from distant areas such as Monaragala, Vavuniya, Badulla, and Tangalle bear the brunt.   

According to eye witnesses, waiting areas near consulting rooms have seating for just 50 people, yet around 150 patients are left standing for up to five hours, often in extreme discomfort.   

Toilets in deplorable condition, located adjacent to consultation rooms and corridors emit a severe stench while lack of ventilation makes the environment unbearable.  

Eye witnesses also highlight the harsh and outdated methods of handling patients, including shouting and calling names in an uncivilized manner to group patients for consultation.   

Minor staff, including attendants and security personnel are reportedly addressing patients, mostly elderly citizens above 65 with rudeness and indifference.  

Moreover, numerous patient complaints about long waiting times, lack of hygiene, and inhumane treatment appear to be met with callousness or indifference from senior medical consultants and nursing staff, aggravating the suffering of vulnerable patients.  

In response Dr. Jayaruwan Bandara, Director of the National Eye Hospital, admitted congestion is a serious problem.  

 “We are not limiting the number of people coming to the hospital, unlike other hospitals. The issue is not only the patients but all the family members who accompany them, which we cannot control. This creates the congestion,” he told Daily Mirror.  

Meanwhile, despite rumours of a shortage of lenses forcing the turning away of cataract surgery patients, the director denied any shortage of lenses