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| Friday, June 9, 2000, Chandigarh, India |
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PGI's gama camera out
of order for 5 months CHANDIGARH, Gama camera, which was installed in the PGI almost a decade back was being used for functional imaging purposes of brain, liver, kidneys and the heart. Sources reveal that the emergency scans through the camera were a big help in sensitive investigation pertaining to gastro-intestinal bleeding of patients in any age group and the acute problems of new-born children. A technician operating the camera said that nearly 15 scans were being done per day when the machine was functional. The non-invasive procedure involves just one IV injection of isotope and the scan is done. Further, since the charges are reasonable, doctors in most cases recommend it for future management. For the normal scans, the charges for the out-patients would vary between Rs 100 and Rs 120 and for the cardiac thallium scan it was Rs 3000, he added. A doctor in the department revealed that besides the local cases, patients from all over the region, including UP and Bihar are referred to the PGI. The equipment is costly and the isotopes, which are imported from abroad are also given to select centres. Dr S.K. Jindal, Head, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, who has additional charge of the Department of Nuclear Medicine explained that the camera which was installed in 1988 has recorded more than 10,000 scans since 1996, when regular machine began. Because of its intense use, the spares have got spoilt and since the technology of the equipment has become old and obsolete, the spares are not easily available. The problem further gets compounded since these parts have to be imported from abroad. The Medical Superintendent, Dr A.K Gupta, admitted that the camera is out of order due to a defect in the spare parts. "The delay is on the part of the US company which had supplied us the equipment for the order was placed with them soon after the problem was identified in February this year, but it took them time to locate the spare parts required. We have recently received an intimation that the spares would be made available to us shortly,'' said Dr Gupta. The PGI will get another dual-headed Gama camera worth Rs 2 crore in the near future as sanction for the same has already been approved. Sources allege that the non-functional camera is proving to be a windfall for the sole diagnostic centre, Body Visions offering this facility in Mohali. While the charges for the normal scan are Rs 1500, for the cardiac thallium scan it is s high as Rs 6000.
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Panel discussion on malaria menace CHANDIGARH, Experts from Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, the Army, the Air Force, the CRPF, the ITBP, the PGI and the GMCH-32 participated in the discussion organised by the malaria wing, UT. Inaugurating the discussion, the Director, Health Services, UT, Dr Joginder Singh, highlighted the need to evolve a common strategy to launch a war against malaria. The panelists from Punjab and Haryana advocated the need for strengthening the disease surveillance system supported by the selective control measures. There was lively discussion on the topic “Global warming and impact on the epidemiology of malaria and vector-borne diseases”. The Director, Meterological Centre, pointed out that global temperature was increasing gradually. This would enable mosquitoes to extend their range of geographical area. Hence, due attention was required to be given to this problem at the national level. Talking about “prediction and forecasting of malaria outbreaks”, they said that efforts should be made for building a mechanism for early warning and detection of outbreaks of malaria. They were of the view that timely detection of cases and effective implementation of sentinel survey would help in controlling the disease quite effectively. Keeping in view the resistance problem, a strategy was likely to be adopted at the national level for the use of new generation insecticides for controlling malaria and other vector-borne diseases. Similarly, plan to use biocides was also on the anvil. Discussing about the “role of new generation insecticides and use of biocides”, experts emphasised that eco-friendly and environmentally safe method should be adopted in controlling the disease. It was finally resolved that future strategy to combat malaria and other vector-borne diseases would entirely depend upon a combination of various social-economical and ecological factors for which the operational and
curative agencies would have to work together for achieving the desired results. |
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Film on AIDS awareness CHANDIGARH, This message was effectively put through in the preview of V.K. Kaushik’s 42-minute telefilm on AIDS held here this morning. Called Teesra Mahayudh, the film is a novel attempt to fight ignorance about the disease and spread word about its tendency to play havoc with the lives of people. This is not the first venture in the field of social welfare which Kaushik has undertaken. His medium might be glamorous, but his motive is sincere. That explains why he has gone on to make films like Daldal and Zindagi, both based on the consequence of AIDS. What is important is the ability of the maker to keep the subject alive vis-a-vis interest of the audience. He said, “I feel responsible towards society and that is the reason why I chose my medium to spread this awareness. When Romu Sippy (of Guddi fame) accepted my venture Zindagi which again focuses on AIDS, I felt encouraged. Now I am committed to the cause which needs urgent attention. I also feel that through films, this awareness can be spread wide.” The film drew immense applause for its effective content and powerful direction. The story revolves around a happy rural family which has two sons Surjeet ( a truck driver) and Ajeet (an Armyman). Surjit is wedded to Dulari who has unconsciously been infected with the killer disease which her husband is carrying. Irony builds up as Surjit discovers about his disease during a medical camp in his area one day. Unable to bear the stigma, he loses his sense and in the process, meets with an accident. Tragedy strikes further with the family of Surjit remaining ignorant of the virus which he was infected with. The story rounds up with the destruction of a house where Dulari is married to her husband’s younger brother in pursuance of the tradition of Chadar chadhana. The impact of the story is tremendous and the rendering decent. The causes which leads to Aids are explained by doctors in a very simple and effective manner every now and then. All false notions, which create a fear, are also dispensed with. The film is an attempt towards creating right knowledge about this deadly disease. The message is that “Third World War should be fought against AIDS not humanity.’’ |
Sunil is CLTA's player of the year CHANDIGARH, June 8 — Sunil Kumar of Chandigarh, past year's national champion, was today adjudged the player of the year by the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association. The general body meeting of the CLTA was held here today where the award was announced. It includes a roll of honour and Rs 40,000. Sunil was also a member of the Indian Davis Cup team past year. He is playing in Europe along with a team of some other young players selected by the International Tennis Federation.The CLTA also awarded colours to three young players — Akshay Vishal Rao, national hard court champion (under-18); Amanjot Singh, national sub-junior champion (under-16); and Tushar Liberhan, winner of two international meets in Pakistan. Mr Rajan Kashyap, brain behind the rural scheme and Chairman of the CLTA, said the association was prepared to conduct the tennis events of the National Games in November. Two synthetic surfaces have already been laid on the centre courts. There is also a proposal to upgrade the infrastructure by adding a players' dressing room, flood-lighting the centre courts and modernising the gymnasium hall. The general body of the CLTA has approved a proposal for establishing the Chandigarh Academy of Rural Tennis (CHART). According to this, 20 talented boys in the age group of 9 to 11 will be selected from villages of Punjab, Haryana, HP, Jammu and Kashmir and the UT. Some business houses have also expressed interest in sponsoring the scheme. The CLTA has also collaborated with Paes-En-Sport, a sport promotion company headed by Dr Vece Paes. Under the agreement, players will be given coaching and opportunities to participate in international meets. Mr Kashyap said talented players of the CLTA would get every chance to develop their game. Mr M. Ramsekhar, Secretary of the CLTA and Director Sports of the UT, said the UT Administration would support the CLTA's efforts. The association has also decided to introduce mini tennis for players in the age group of 6 to 8 in selected schools of city. The CLTA will issue 100 mini tennis racquets and 25 dozen balls to children in these schools. The programme which is sponsored by the ITF will inspire boys and girls to take tennis seriously. Blood donation: The UT Sports Department, under a special campaign of the Union Ministry of Culture, Youth affairs and Sports, organised a blood donation camp where 45 persons, including the Director Sports of the UT, Mr M. Ramsekhar, IAS, took part.Earlier, he also inaugurated the camp. Among others who took part in the camp, were Dr P.C. Kashyap Regional Director in charge of the SAI; Dr J.P.S. Sidhu, Joint Director Sports of the UT; Mr Ajit Singh, Assistant Director of the SAI; and the other staff members of the department. The camp was part of the youth-affairs activities of the department, said Mr K.S. Bharti, Coordinator of the Youth Affairs Cell. The camp was organised at the request of the Thalassaemic Children's Welfare Association. Officials chosen: The Executive Committee of the CLTA elected the following as the ex-officio members of the association for the year 2000-2001: Mr Rajan Kashyap — Chairman; Mr Justice S.S. Sodhi — President; Mr M. Ramsekhar — Secretary; and Mr Vishwajeet Khanna — Treasurer.Elected members: Mr Sarabjit Singh, IPS; Mr Reet Mohinder Singh; Prof R.S. Duggal; and Mr D.S. Bedi.
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Governor, Dhindsa
review arrangements CHANDIGARH,
The Governor said for the four events to be held here, the Chandigarh Administration would extend all help. He said work on
improving the facilities at the shooting range must start at the earliest. Equipment lying with the Sports Authority of India, Patiala, must be requisitioned immediately and other necessary equipment must be imported, he said. Mr Dhindsa agreed to reimburse 75 per cent cost of the equipment to the Union Territory Administration as per the scheme of the Union Sports Ministry. |
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STC girls retain hockey title CHANDIGARH, In this six-a-side tournament, 12 teams of different zones and states took part. The captain of the STC Chandigarh, Roohi Dhillon said in their pool matches, they beat Katni 'B', 9-0; Bijnor, 8-0; Raipur, 6-2; hosts Nainital, 4-2; and Muzzafarpur, 5-0, before reaching the last four stage. In the semi-finals, STC Chandigarh was pitted against SAIL, Bhilai, whom they beat by five goals to one. Rajneesh of Chandigarh was declared the best player of the match. International player, Nishi Chauhan, said in the final against SAI Varanasi, Sadhna and skipper Roohi Dhillon scored two goals each and won the title for the team. Sangeeta of Chandigarh was declared the best player of the final. Nishi Chauhan also of Chandigarh was declared the best player of the tournament. Jaswinder Singh accompanied the team as coach. Ritu Pathik, Assistant Director of the centre, said dedication and hard work of the players and coaches had made the team maintain the past year's performance. |
Parking charges resented CHANDIGARH, June 8 — The Chandigarh Tourist Bus Operators Association has resented the levy of parking charges on private buses by the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC).Terming the parking fee of Rs 500 per bus per month as “excessive”, the President of association, Mr Tarsem Singh Banga, in a representation to the UT Administrator, said only Rs 2 to Rs 5 per day were charged throughout the country. No such charges were levied on the parking of the truck and levy was discriminatory in nature. The parking places allotted to the bus operators were in the “kutcha” areas without any facilities like water, electricity, toilets, and sitting room and it became very difficult to park vehicles in the inclement weather, the representation added. Mr Banga said the bus operators had been paying road tax, passenger tax, income tax and all other taxes under the Motor Vehicles Act and the parking fee would be an additional burden on them. Demanding basic facilities at the parking places, he said that the rate should be fixed at Rs 5 per day per bus. Similarly, one guest room, office room and toilet should be provided for the convenience of the tourists. The representation demanded separate parking place for buses like the transport yard for trucks in Sector 26.  |
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Mohali MC poll
on August 20 SAS NAGAR,
Sources in the local government department said that a notification in this regard would be issued
tomorrow. The final revised voters' list will be prepared by the Electoral Registration Office. |
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‘Invite tenders for
guide maps’ CHANDIGARH, In a press note, the association alleged that the contract to set up maps was awarded to a Calcutta-based company which had quoted the lowest rate of Rs 10.5 lakh per annum in January this year. Several members of our association were ready to complete this project on the BOT basis, the press note said, adding that the advertisement space on them could earn profit and could be a major source revenue for the corporation. Probe demanded: The president of Janata Dal(U), Mr Surender Bhardwaj, had demanded a CBI probe into the functioning of the Engineering Wing. In a press note, Mr Bhardwaj alleged that the department had committed irregularities in the award of contract to the company for setting up coloured guide maps and allowing the holding of the shopping carnival in Sector 17 recently. Encroachments removed: The Enforcement Wing today razed over 60 illegal encroachments from internal roads of Sector 21 and six “khokhas” from the rehri market of Sector 47-D. Barbed wires, hedges, fences and cemented floors were among the encroachments removed by the wing. |
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More buses from
43-ISBT to HC CHANDIGARH,
Besides, more counters will be shifted from the ISBT in Sector 17 to the new ISBT from June 10. Services to Nangal, Una, Jwalaji, Chintpurni, Baijnath, Kangra, Hamirpur and Sujanpur will now operate from the new ISBT between 5 a.m and 8 p.m. Late night services to these stations will continue to operate from the ISBT in Sector 17. These will be in addition to services to Manali, Kulu, Sarkaghat, Manikaran and Bilaspur. In the local services the CTU will be adding two more routes that will touch the new ISBT. Route Nos 9-A and 9-C that run clockwise and anti-clockwise directions will operate at an interval of 30 minutes. The same will be the schedule for route Nos 14-A and 14-C. |
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