The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

HEALTH

‘Epilepsy is curable’
From Shivani Bhakoo

LUDHIANA, Nov 15 — “Generally, people have misconceptions about epilepsy and consider this as a result of evil spirits or some supernatural powers. The reality is that it is a disease which is easily curable by taking regular drugs.”

The above views were expressed by Dr Hasan Aziz, Professor of Neurology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Care, Karachi, Pakistan, during a seminar which was conducted for the doctors of the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, here yesterday.

Dr Aziz expressed his gratitude and delight towards the people of the city. It was his second visit to the industrial town . He had earlier visited around seven years ago. Dr Aziz, who had come to Delhi in order to attend an epilepsy conference, had been specially invited to give a lecture at the DMCH by Dr Gagandeep Singh, a renowned Neurologist at the DMC.

During his talk, Dr Hasan Aziz discussed the problems faced by the epileptic patients in getting the jobs, obstacles in their marriage and partial treatment in schools because of lack of education. He said that about one per cent of the world population suffered from the disease. The disease was easily curable with drugs and majority of the patients could lead a normal and healthy life if regular treatment was given to them. Dr Aziz emphasised that in general, people do not come forward because of the lack of knowledge and try other methods of treatment, which were wrong.

Ultimately, it becomes the responsibility of the society in general and mediapersons in particular, to get this message across that it was not a deadly disease. Apart from the fits, the patients were as normal and healthy like any other human being. He had all the praise for the DMC, its facilities and faculty. He said that it could come out as a model for other hospitals in the region.

Dr Hasan Aziz was very happy with the warm hospitality given to him by the Ludhiana people. He revealed that he felt very homely and comfortable to be with the Ludhianvis and added, “We share similar cultures and behavior pattern of the two countries is also common. Whatever information one country has, becomes very useful for the entire region. I think we should sit together and settle the issues amicably as good neighbours for maintaining the peace in two countries”. He also visited Phillaur, his ancestral place, and it was a nostalgic visit for him. Dr Aziz said that one should go back to the roots rather being uprooted by the circumstances.

National Thalassaemic Day celebrated
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Nov 15 — The District Bar Association and the Young Lawyers Association, in association with the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital yesterday organised a blood donation camp at the bar room to celebrate National Thalasemia Day. Mr S.S. Arora, District and Sessions Judge, inaugurated the camp in which more than 100 people donated blood for thalasemic patients.

The camp was organised under the guidance of Dr Praveen Sobti, Reader in the Department of Paediatrics and in charge of thalasemia, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital.

Mr Sanjay Agnihotri, Civil Judge (Junior Division), Mr Harpal Singh, CJJD and Mr M.J.S. Tiwana, another CJJD, donated blood during the camp. Mr Sanjiv Malhotra, project in charge and general secretary of the Young Lawyers Welfare Association also donated blood to serve for the thalasemic patients.

Mr Harish Dhanda, President of the District Bar Ass ociation donated Rs 5,100 on behalf of the association and Mr Harish Narang, President, Young Lawyers Welfare Association, gave Rs 2,100 to the needy patients. Mr J.S. Sohal, President of the Punjab Thalasemics Welfare Society, presented vote of thanks on behalf of the society and appealed that such camps should be organised in the future also so that a relief could be provided to the sufferers.

Mobile dispensary scheme to be launched
From Our Correspondent

FATEHGARH SAHIB, Nov 15 — The government has decided to introduce mobile dispensary scheme in the state, so that the people in remote rural areas may get medical facilities. This scheme would be completed within two years. In the beginning it would be implemented in one block of every district of the state, said Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, while inaugurating the free eye check-up-cum-operation camp at Khera village yesterday.

He said the government would continue to provide free electricity to the farmers and 50 units of electricity to Dalits and even 50 per cent subsidy to every citizen on electricity. He said the government spends Rs 300 crore on electricity alone. He said the government has also introduced a Rs 35 crore scheme to construct toilets in the houses of Dalits. He said the government had already given Rs 12 crore benefit to the employees.

Earlier he inaugurated 24 hour power supply scheme in Khera village, laid the foundation stone of the BDPO office at Khera to be constructed at the cost of Rs 40 lakh, the veterinary dispensary and announced to upgrade the high school of the village to senior secondary level.

On this occasion the team of doctors led by Dr Charanjit Singh and Dr H.S. Chawla, checked the eyes of the patients and more than 1000 operations were performed.