HEALTH

'Prevention of infections in kids important'
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 27 — The three-day second National Conference on Paediatric Intensive Care (PIC) which concluded here today emphasised on the need to have more PICUs and training programmes suited to our country. The experts pointed out that early recognition and systematic intensive approach can save many critically ill children.

The conference was organised by the Department of Paediatrics, PGI, under the aegis of the Indian Academy of Paediatric Intensive care Chapter.

In one of the sessions, strategies for strict measures to prevent infection in PICU were emphasised. The prevention of infections, which in some cases may be life threatening, is far more cost effective than treating them. The latest concepts in prevention and treatment of disturbance of fluids and electrolytes, especially hyponatremia, were discussed in an interactive session on "Fluid and electrolyte therapy in critically children.''

A new method of Near Infra Red Spectroscopy (NIRS) for measurement of cerebral blood flow, oxygenation and intra-cranial autoregulation was discussed by Prof Ben Wagner from Switzerland. He for the first time talked about the utility of this method, based on years of his research work. Newer modes of treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome in children were also discussed by Dr Shekhar Venkataraman from the USA.

The symposium on supportive care for children in PICU talked at length advances in parental nutrition and use of metabolic and genetic labs. It was also suggested that transportation of children requires specific precautions to avoid deterioration on the way. Dr Vineet Bhandari from the USA threw light on newer modes of high frequency ventilation in new-borns and children.

Prof Shekhar Venkataraman (USA) also pointed out that the professionals should make do the best with whatever resources they have.

The emphasis should be on the need to do do something than how to do it. He further suggested that doctors in India should not look towards the West for resources or technical knowhow, but depend more on Indian strategies that actually work. Though there is tremendous scope for the growth of this super speciality, but there is need to set up more centres of excellence and proper funding so that the benefits of healthcare reach people at secondary levels, he added.

Coronary diseases on the rise
From Our Correspondent

KHARAR, Feb 27 — There are an estimated 20 million Indians who are suffering from various coronary artery diseases, and if the trend continues, the number is going to double by the year 2015.

This was stated by Dr R.K. Jaswal, from the BRS Heart Institute and Research Centre, Kot Billa, while addressing a gathering at a free heart diseases awareness and check-up camp, organised by the Rotary Club, Kharar, here today.

Dr Jaswal said the number of persons suffering from these diseases was increasing in India compared to USA.

He said South India has more patients compared to North India. One of the reasons for this was the consumption of coconut oil, which contains 92 per cent saturated fats.

He said the occurrence of these diseases was more in urban areas compared to rural areas.

The doctor said that the consumption of high-fat food, high blood pressure, consumption of tobacco and cigarette, tension at work place and in family, lack of exercise are some of the possible reasons for heart diseases.

He said the consumption of desi ghee was not so harmful but it should not be used a cooking medium. Regular physical activity should be done for 30 to 60 minutes daily.

He said too much of sugar and liquor should be avoided. One should consume more vegetables and have a balanced diet.

Tobacco in any form should be avoided as Indian cigarette was more harmful because it contains more nicotine and tar, which are very harmful.

Dr Jaswal and his team of doctors checked a number of persons and medicines were given free of cost to them.

PGI Dept celebrates anniversary
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 27 — The Department of Oral Health Sciences of the PGIMER celebrated its fifth anniversary yesterday. The Department of Dentistry, which shifted to the new block five years ago, began functioning with the latest state-of-the-art equipment.

The department has a methodical system of registration and patients are able to get a card made in little time. The patients are also called in on the basis of their card number flashed on an electronic board.

Presently, there are postgraduation programmes in paedodontics and orthodontics, but, efforts are on to introduce such programmes in oral surgery and prosthodontics as well. The close interaction and well-co-ordinated functioning of various disciplines makes it easy to handle complicated cases which require a multidisciplinary approach. The department, has also set up an aquarium and a separate little enclosure for the tiny tots as they wait for their turn in the paediatric dentistry ward.

Prof K.S. Chawla, Head of the Department, said they always tried to upgrade the facilities and work with the latest techniques and materials available in the market.

The department will organise a CME on Dento-Maxillofacila Trauma for the benefit of dentists working in primary health centres of Punjab and other parts of the region on March 4 at Lecture Theatre I, Nehru Hospital, PGI.

A community lunch in which all members of the faculty, including a former Dean and Head of the Department, Dr Amrit Tewari, participated, was also organised as part of the celebrations.

Road show on AIDS awareness
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 27 — The AIDS Control Centre, in collaboration with a home appliance company, organised a road show today to create awareness among the general public about AIDS.

The highlight of the event was that a few AIDS patients addressed the crowd. The campaign, consisting of colourful banners and vehicles carrying the message Stop Aids, was flagged off from the PGI.

It passed through various sectors before culminating at the Sector 16 Rose Garden.

During the way, members distributed brochures and pamphlets and held audio skits. The crowds were also addressed by medical experts involved in AIDS research.

PGI doctor heads ortho body
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 27 — Dr Shivinder Singh Gill, Additional professor (Orthopaedics) at the PGI, here, has taken over as President of the North Zone Orthopaedic Association at its annual conference held in Ludhiana today.

A specialist in paediatric orthopaedics and rehabilitation of handicapped, Dr Gill got training in the field from Los Angeles, USA. He is also a fellow and Syndic of Panjab University.

SPORT

AG Haryana paddlers in final
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Feb 27 — Accountant General (Audit) Haryana, Chandigarh, made it to the final of the North Zone (IA and AD) Table Tennis Tournament which began here today at the Sector 23 Table Tennis Hall. The three-day tournament will end on February 29.

AG (Audit) Haryana, Chandigarh, will face AG (UP), Allahabad, in the final of the team championship.

In the semi-finals played here today, AG (Audit) Haryana beat AG (Delhi 'A') in a thrilling five-match tie. Harish Kumar, current state champion, was the star of the AG (Haryana) team. He won both his singles matches, while the third single for the team was won by Patanjali Kumar.

In the other semi-final, the eventual winners AG (UP), too, was involved in a thrilling five-match encounter against AG (HP). S.P. Singh won both his singles matches for the AG (UP) team.

Ms Ritu Dhillon, Deputy Accountant General, inaugurated the meet and was introduced to the players.

The results of the semi-finals were as follows: First semi-final — AG (UP), Allahabad, b AG (HP), Shimla, 3-2 (S.P. Singh b Saurabh, 21-12, 21-16; Virender Srivastava lost to Portho Chaudhary, 17-21, 21-19, 11-21; Anand Shandilya lost to Jaswant Gangta, 9-21, 13-21; S.P. Singh b Portho Chowdhry, 17-21, 21-17, 21-15; Virender b Saurabh, 21-23, 24-22, 21-7).

Second semi-final — AG (Haryana), Chandigarh, b AG (Delhi 'A'), 3-2 (Amod Dixit b Joginder Bisht, 21-16, 21-18; Harish Kumar b Vikas Sharma, 21-15, 21-14; Patanjali Kumar b K.K. Mishra, 21-8, 21-8; Amod Dixit lost to Vikas Sharma, 21-19, 21-14; Harish Kumar b Joginder Bisht, 21-19, 21-16).

Videocon XI win

Fine allround performances by Arun (85 runs and four wickets for 28 runs) and Kamalpreet (41 runs and two wickets for 21 runs) helped Videocon XI beat 3BRD XI by 94 runs in the first MM Lal Jain Memorial Cricket Tournament here today. The tournament is being organised by the Chandigarh Cricket Association affiliated to the Haryana Cricket Association.

Batting first, Videocon XI batsman Arun's hurricane knock of 85 runs in 55 deliveries added valuable 110 runs to third-wicket partnership. Videocon XI piled up a huge total of 232 runs in the allotted 25 overs.

In reply, 3BRD XI could not stand the accurate bowling of Arun who took four wickets. Kamalpreet and Ravinder took two wickets each. As a result, 3BRD XI were bundled out for 136 runs.

In another match, Royal Cricket Club defeated CNS XI by two wickets, thanks to 56 runs scored by Naresh.

Brief scores: Videocon XI — 232 runs for seven wickets in 25 overs (Arun 85 n.o., Kamalpreet 41, Vaneet Khosla 23, Ramandeep 19, Pardeep 2 for 30); 3BRD XI — 136 runs all out in 12.3 overs (Pardeep 34, Rajesh Singh 26, R. Singh 26, Sanjay Sharma 18, Arun 4 for 28, Surinder 2 for 25, Kamalpreet 2 for 21, Ravinder 2 for 15).

CNS XI — 176 runs for eight in 25 overs (Vivek Jain 61, Harinder 26, Parveen 25, Viresh Sharda 20, Ravipal 3 for 30, Surinder 2 for 33); Royal XI — 178 runs for seven in 24.4 overs (Naresh 56, Ravi Verma 25, Amritpal 28 n.o., Mukesh 2 for 16, Sandeep 2 for 18).

Bridge tourney held
By Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, Feb 27 — A one-day bridge tournament for the Ubhyankar Trophy was organised here today by the Chandigarh Bridge Association at the Sector 42 Sports Complex in which 16 pairs took part. According to Mr Surjit Kapoor, Vice-President of the association, the pairs were divided into two sections of eight each and all over India, similar tournaments were being conducted simultaneously to select top pairs for the National Bridge Meet to be held at Kasauli (HP) in April.

The association which is affiliated to the Bridge Federation of India got a massive response from the participants. Entries enclosed in envelopes were opened today at 9.30 am for the draw. In the North-South section, pair team of R.P. Mishra and P. Goyal, while in the East West section, team pair of G.C. Goyal and R.K. Sharma qualified as the top pairs for the proposed national meet.

The results are as follows: North-South — R.P. Mishra and P. Goyal 1, Col Amrik Singh and M.L. Pangotra 2; S.P. Sharma and G.S. Oberoi 3; East-West — G.C. Goyal and R.K. Sharma 1, Ravi Kumar and Dr H.S. Nanda 2, T.P. Verma and J.K. Sama 3.