HEALTH

MTP complications cause 13 pc of deaths during pregnancy
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 22 — Despite claims of improvement in medical and family planning facilities, in India, as many as 401 of one lakh pregnant women die during child birth. Out of these, a sizeable number, about 13 per cent, die as a result of complications arising due to Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP). For the developed countries, the figure stands well below 20. In comparison, Sri Lanka reports 135 deaths of the one lakh pregnant women.

Speaking to Chandigarh Tribune here today, the senior doctors attending the annual conference of AICC Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the PGI felt that since MTP was now an important method of family planning, adequate post management care should be ensured to reduce the risk to the life of the woman undergoing abortion.

The doctors also urged that RU 486, a drug causing abortion, should be approved of by the government. The drug, which recently gained approval in America, is being used for years in countries like China, UK and France.

According to Dr Sudip Chakrabarty from Calcutta, in India, MTP contributes a major chunk to childbirth-related mortality cases. “The fact is that though legal abortion is available in most private and government institutions, there is no arrangement for post management care of these cases.”

Doctors say ideally in post-abortion cases, medical help should be available round the clock as it during the first 24 hours that most of the complications arise. Dr ( Ms) Manjula Rohtagi from Bangalore feels that although the techniques being used are correct and their success rate is excellent, it is the post-abortion care in family planning and health care which is lacking. “ It is also important to spread awareness about maintaining general hygiene, post MTP, besides highlighting risks of immediate pregnancy. Carelessness can lead to pelvic peritonitis, causing excessive swelling of fallopian tubes, uterus and other parts of the reproductive tract, which in itself can be fatal.”

Dr Chakrabarty recommends an adequate post-abortion care, for which the government itself should take responsibility. “Despite the fact that MTP is an adequate mode of family planning, it is considered immoral. Morally it may be different from taking a pill for birth control, but for unwanted pregnancy it happens to be a good facility. Since in India, MTP is viewed conservatively, centres should be maintained where women wanting an abortion can get advice confidentially.”

Gynaecologists also feel that it is high time that government approved of the drug RU 486. 

Eye hospital to remain open
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Oct 22 — On the occasion of Divali, the Sri Guru Harkrishan Sahib (C) Eye Hospital will remain open for 24 hours to deal with any kind of emergency related to eyes. A spokesman of the hospital said certain precautions like bursting crackers in open spaces, lighting the crackers at an arm’s length and avoid wearing synthetic clothes could reduce cases of injuries. 

SPORT

City girls corner glory in national sports
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Oct 22 — Harsimran Kaur Bedi of Chandigarh won tennis double crown in the 26th National Women Sports Festival which concluded on Friday at Delhi. In singles final, she defeated Nikita Bhardwaj of Gujarat, 8-4. Third place was bagged by Deepanwita Chakarvorty of Bengal. Later Harsimran in combination with Simer Singh, also of Chandigarh, proved too good for Nikita Bhardwaj and Milaumi by defeating them, 6-1, to win the doubles title also. Third palce in this section went to the pair of Utkalika and Itishri.

IAF lifters steal the show
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Oct 22 — The Indian Air Force weightlifters stole the show on the opening day of the Indian Air Force - Sri Lanka Air Force Weightlifting Meet here today at Lecma Auditorium, 3 BRD. The events were conducted in five weight categories. Earlier the meet was declared open by Air Marshal S.S. Gupta, Air Force Commanding-in Chief, Maintenance Command, IAF.

Results: (below 56 kg: snatch: LAC Nasrudeen (IAF)1, (95 kg); clean and jerk: Nasrudeen (115 kg) total: Nasrudeen (210 kg).

Below 62 kg: snatch: CPL Jayaprakash (IAF) 1 (110 kg); clean and jerk: Jayaprakash (132 kg); total: Jaya Prakash (242.5 kg).

Below 69 kg: snatch: Ramesh Kumar (IAF) (110 kg); clean and jerk: Ramesh (140 kg). total; Ramesh (250 kg).

Below 77 kg: snatch: Shaktivellu (IAF) (110 kg), Jayaveera (SLAF) 2 (80 kg); Thdskva( SLAF) 3. (80kg). clean and jerk: Shaktivellu 1 (150kg); total-Shaktivellu (260 kg).

85 kg: JWO K. Murugan (IAF) (125 kg); CPL RM Wilmon (SLAF) 2 (85kg), Piaperera (SLAF) 3. (75kg); clean and jerk: K Murugan (IAF) (155 kg)1, RM Wilmon (SLAF) 2, (112 kg); LAC Pia Perera (SLAF) (100 kg). total: JWO K.Muruan (IAF) 1, (280 kg); CPL RM Wilmon (SLAF) 2, (197.5kg); LAC Pia Perera (SLAF) 3, (175 kg).