HEALTH

Conference on radiation technology
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 14
The first National Conference of Society of Medical Radiation Technology, India, was inaugurated today by the PGI Director, Prof S.K. Sharma, which is being organised by the Department of Radiotherapy.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Sharma emphasised on the need for academic interaction between the medical radiation technologists, because the equipments used for diagnosis and treatment of diseases using radiation has become highly sophisticated. This will help them acquaint themselves with new technology to provide precise results of various diagnostic and radiothrapeutic techniques for the benefit of the patients.

Delivering the presidential address, President of the society, Mr Laxmi Kant Tewari, stressed on the need to form a council, which will safeguard the interests of the medical technologists working in the field of radiations across the country in government as well as in private sectors. He also said that the AERB should take a strict action against the mushrooming of unauthorised and sub-standard institutes.

Mr Tewari informed that the endeavour of the society is to render information and indepth knowledge of the latest modalities to all those associated with this field by making its regional chapters in all parts of the country and that the society has already formed these chapters in Punjab and Delhi. He also urged the PGI authorities to initiate a process for setting up a college of medical technology at the PGIMER. Even the government should make efforts to start higher education in the filed of medical technology, instead of promoting the certificate and diploma courses throughout the country for proper handling of hi-tech equipments and better patient care.

Dr B.D. Gupta, Emeritus Professor and former head, Department of radiotherapy, PGIMER, outlined the technological development in the field of medicine, particularly in radiotherapy over the last 3 to 4 decades. He pointed out that a medical technologist pays an important role in the field of radiation therapy as well as radio-diagnosis. He also emphasised on the need of using tele-medicine to the maximum benefit of the patient care.

Speaking on bionics and medical technology, Dr R.P. Bajpai, Director, CSIO, said interaction between basic scientists and medical professionals is the need of the day. Bionics and biochips will be of great help in the treatment of diseases like cancer.

Dr S. Hukku, while giving his lecture on image based radiotherapy, said the modern advancements in radiotherapy are based on proper data acquisition and treatment planning. Imaging by machines like Simulator, CT scan, MRI, help to acquire data, which is fed into computers to plan treatment. Modern technology including Linear Accelerator with portal imaging simulator, treatment planning system form the basic minimum of equipment to deliver precise and accurate radiotherapy for higher cure rate in cancer.

While chairing the session on medical technology, Dr S.C. Sharma, Head, Department of Radiotherapy, PGI, stressed on the need of refresher courses and academic interactions among medical radiation technologists for refreshing their knowledge so that the precision and accuracy of various procedures and techniques carried out by them in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases like cancer can be increased.

Dr S. Ayyagari from the SGPI, Lucknow, spoke on the latest radiation techniques used in the treatment of various cancers, like conformal and intensity modulated radiation therapy and discussed the advantages and limitations of each.

Dr Suman Kochhar, Professor and Head, Department of Radio-Diagnosis, GMCH, Sector 32, gave a talk on the latest developments in the field of computed tomography. She disclosed that over the last 10-15 years there has been a rapid progress in CT scan technology. Due to this multi slice technology imaging of an area of interest can be completed in few seconds. This has been possible only due to the rapid advances in data acquisition, storage, computer hardware and software advances, leading to marked improvement in image quality and tremendous increase in the speed of scanning.

The conference will conclude tomorrow.

SPORT

Still a crusader
Arvind Katyal

Chandigarh, April 14
Sanjay Sharma, a former international badminton player, had fought for the rights of players after his retirement. Sanjay, who lives in Mumbai, was here with his daughter, Medini, who was to play in the ITF Women’s Tennis Championship that began on the Sector 10 CLTA Courts today.

Sanjay’s claim that cricket is killing all other sports in India is endorsed by many sportspersons. Once, he had ever made the Badminton Association of India amend its plans,

Sanjay and Ravi Kunte have represented the country in the doubles events of many international meets. He said the BAI and the Government of India was giving a good exposure to junior and senior players. He said the training that Gopichand had received in Germany for there months had helped him become a world beater.

Sanjay said Gopi owed his success to S.M. Arif who had trained him before Prakash Padukone accepted him in the BPL Academy. Gopi was lucky to get Ganguly Prasad of the SAI Bangalore as a trainer.

On the new seven-point scoring system that is to be introduced from June 1, Sharma said it was good for the game and players. He said it would have been better if the BAI had begun experimenting with the new rule. At Kozhikode last year, junior players at the All-India Sonora meet had received a little experience of this new system.

Knee injuries cannot ruin careers now
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, April 14
“Nowadays, only partial menisctomy is done, which is a departure from the earlier practice of removing the entire cartilage,” said Dr A.S. Bhatia, an arthroscopic surgeon, in his lecture on knee injuries among sportspersons, particularly badminton players, here yesterday. Dr Bhatia said he had handled 300 cases of knee arthroscopy, 50 of which involved sportspersons. He said cartilage rupture was common among wrestlers and athletes, besides players of football, judo and badminton.

Dr Bhatia said anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments were the other common injuries of the knee that should not be ignored by any sportsperson. He said, after arthroscopy, there was no chance of the recurrence of the problem. He said any ligament that ruptured was reconstructed to prevent further damage to the knee.

Dr Bhatia said, after arthroscopy, a player could return to his normal routine within a week and needed normal quadricep and hamstring exercises. The idea was to keep the muscles warm.

Dr Bhatia, who has learnt arthroscopy from Dr Anant Joshi of Mumbai, said a proper diagnosis of a knee injury was vital to save a sportsperson’s career. He said, if a player had prolonged cartilage problem, he could opt for arthroscopy even now to avoid further trouble. Dr Bhatia recommended cushioned shoes for those who run on roads or hard surfaces.

Dr Bhatia said knee injuries could be prevented if players kept their bodies properly conditioned and warmed up before a match.

Cricket tourney

Chandigarh
A magnificent knock of 87 runs by 13 year old Sumit Dhiman helped Stadium XI,defeat 3 BRD XI by 88 runs in a match of the 5th UT Summer League Cricket Tournament in the Sector 16 stadium here. Stadium XI scored 207 runs for four wicket, while 3 BRD XI were all out on 119 runs.

In the other matches of the day, ISTC XI beat Thunder XI by two runs, Attawa Youth Club defeated Sunrise CC by 59 runs, High Court XI beat Prudential CC by 23 runs.

CBA honours Arif
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, April 14
The Chandigarh Badminton Association honoured S.M. Arif, to coach of the All-England champion Pulella Gopichand, here today. He was here to participate in the All-India Badminton Coaches Conference in Panjab University.

Mr Gian Chand Gupta, President of the association, Arif for producing a player like Gopichand. He received a shawl and a memento. Mr Mukerjee of the CBA, said India needed more coaches like Arif and the game would now become popular after the recent win triumph of Gopichand.

Mr T.P.S. Puri, former chief national coach and now Secretary of the CBA, was also present there.

ADMINISTRATION

CE selection on April 16
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 14
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will hold an interview to select a Chief Engineer for the Chandigarh Administration on April 16. The present incumbent, Mr Puranjit Singh had taken over the current duty charge on March 31 after Mr R.K. Jain had retired.

One nominee of the UPSC and two of the Chandigarh Administration will conduct the interview at a meeting of the Department Promotion Committee (DPC).

It is likely that the DPC will promote Mr Puranjit Singh and endorse the stance of the Administration. Sources said the DPC will meet even if either the Finance Secretary or the Home Secretary fail to turn up.