CHANDIGARH, Feb 1 — The local branch of the Indian Medical Association has appealed to the chemists, surgical suppliers and doctors of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal to get the urgently required medical items airlifted to Ahmedabad for the post-earthquake victims.

In a general body meeting of the Chandigarh branch of the IMA here today, discussions were held on how to send the relief items needed by the victims to Gujarat. It was decided that the first consignment material worth Rs 1 lakh would be airlifted to the IMA Headquarters, Ahmedabad, on February 3.

Dr G.S. Kochar, President of the local chapter of the association, has said that he was in regular contact with the General Secretary of the IMA, Ahmedabad, and had been given a detailed list of medical items that are urgently required there-Plaster of Paris, Orthosoft, Orthopaedic Implant, External fixator, suture material particularly 2/0 chromic catgut, 2/0 cutting silk and 2/0 ethilon, betadine lotion, IV Drip stand, antibiotics for adult and children, disposable masks, gloves, syringes, gauze, cotton and bandages.

SRIGANGANAGAR, Feb 1 — A serious situation was averted when a consignment of medicines donated by the local chapter of the Indian medical association for the quake hit were found to be "outdated" and "worthless" for the victims.

According to sources, medicines worth Rs 30,000 were handed over to Mrs Kiran Soni Gupta, District Magistrate, by representatives of the IMA. When the packet was opened today, the officials were shocked to find that 90 per cent of the medicines had "expired" and the rest were "totally useless for the quake victims in Gujarat".

“Only a small percentage of drugs were found to be useful. Only medicines worth Rs 2,000 could be used and the rest had to be destroyed,” the official sources said.

The sources said that what was required to be sent to Gujarat were medicines for cholera, shock, vomiting, aches, and other allied ailments.

What was found packed in the huge bundle were tablets for diabetes, TB, heart-related ailments and even tablets for regulating mensturation.

"It is shocking that the medical fraternity was doing all this just to gain cheap popularity, commented a senior official of the district administration.