HEALTH

Setting up of dispensary may be delayed
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 17 — The setting up of the CGHS dispensary here is likely to be further delayed pending the implementation of the staff inspection unit (SIU) report, the local MP, Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, said while addressing the annual convention of the coordination committee of the Central Government Pensioners Association on the occasion of the Pensioners Day here today.

Mr Bansal said the information that the dispensary would not be set up immediately had been provided to him in response to his question in the Lok Sabha by the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Mr A. Raja. However, Chandigarh figured in the proposal of the government for the setting up of dispensary in the remaining part of the five year plan, Mr Bansal was told.

Mr C.L. Punj, chairman of the committee, condemned the attitude of the Central Government for the delay in the opening of the dispensary. The government had assured at the meeting of the standing committee of voluntary agencies (SCOVA) on July 7 that the dispensary would be in position by December this year but nothing had been done, he added.

The secretary-general of the committee, Mr B.S. Dard, lamented that the government had failed to fulfill their long-pending demand although it was duly covered under the government rules.

Coming down heavily on the government for ignoring the pensioners, Mr A.L. Vohra, vice-chairman of the committee, said they were still waiting for justice, Mr G.S. Bhangoo, patron, dwelled on the importance of the Pensioners Day when the Supreme Court ruled on December 17,1982 that the pensioners also have a right to live respectfully.

Meanwhile, various resolutions were adopted at the convention. These included the enhancement of the fixed medical allowance from Rs 100 to Rs 250 per month, implementation of the Health Ministry’s order of June 5,1998, regarding the reimbursement of medical claims for indoor treatment, revision of the family pension and restoration commuted pension after 12 years. Declaring pensioners as senior citizens and rebate in the income tax and concession in rail fare and implementation of the remaining recommendations of the Fifth Pay Commission were the other demands aired at the convention.

CME programme on medical emergencies
Tribune News Service

CHANDI MANDIR, Dec 17 — A two-day continuing medical education (CME) programme on medical emergencies was held at Command Hospital here today where experts in various fields discussed current trends in life and limb saving surgeries and medical management.

Speaking on the salvage of hands amongst injured soldiers, Col B.B. Dogra, plastic surgeon at the hospital, delved on the skill of reconstruction of the thumb to meet the patient's functional requirements.

Sharing his experiences of treating fractures sustained by Kargil war casualties, Lieut-Col S.M. Bhatnagar, an orthopaedic surgeon, observed that initial open alignment of fractures using steel interlocking nails had gratifying surgical outcome.

The Command Hospital cardiologist, Lieut-Col Nikhil Kumar, while dwelling on the treatment of heart failure, highlighted the role of new drugs and cardiac catherterisation in improving the quality of life and long-term survival of heart failure cases.

Professor of gastroenterology at PGIMER, Dr D. Bhasin, in a guest symposium, spoke on medical and endoscopic management of acute pancreatitis, a condition which is considered as an emergency case and which can often be life threatening. Professor and head of department, Government Medical College and Hospital (GMHC), Chandigarh, discussed in detail various surgical modalities for managing pancreatitis cases.

Dr N. Marwaha, Head of the Department of Haematology and Transfusion, GMCH, while speaking on blood component transfusion in emergencies, highlighted the principles and techniques of segregating various required components of blood and transfusing them to needy patients. Lieut-Col Rajat Kumar from Army Research and Referral Hospital, Delhi, in his talk on New approach to acute leukaemia, elucidated on the stem cell transplantation.

The Deputy Commandant of the Hospital, Brig P.K. Chakraborty, who chaired the valedictory session, said that the CMEs are of tremendous benefit to service doctors in getting conversant with the latest techniques of treatment to our troops at Military Hospitals.

Hepatitis-B camp
From Our Correspondent

ZIRAKPUR, Dec 17 — As many as 450 persons, including children, were given hepatitis-B vaccine at a camp organised by Dhillon Clinic in collaboration with Hyderabad Bharat Bioteck International here today. Dr Rajinder Saggu, CMO, Ropar, inaugurated the camp.

SPORT

Sahil leads city cricket team
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 17 — Sahil Sharma, a student of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 35, will lead the Chandigarh cricket team for the Vinoo Mankad School National Trophy to be held at Datia in Madhya Pradesh from December 18 to 23.

The team, which left for Datia today, was selected following a camp which concluded yesterday. The other members of the team are Uday Kaul, Gaurevjeet Singh Sandhu, Manant Wadera, Arun Sayal, Karan Veer, Raj Angad Singh, Munish Nayyar, Sukhpreet Khullar, Manwinder Singh, Madan Lal, Karan Kharwer, Avinash Khullar, Gaurav Ghambeer, Aman Bhel and Chetan.

Nitin Rathi, Sumit Ohri, Varun Khanna, Sukhjinder Singh and Vijay Kumar will be stand-by players.

Ajeetesh is junior golf champion
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 17 — Twelve-year-old Ajeetesh Sandhu of the Chandigarh Golf Club, and student of St. John’s High School, has won the recently concluded Eastern India Junior and Sub-Junior Golf Championships held at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club.

The Eastern India Golf Championship started on the December 12 and ended on December 15. In the under-13 category of the Indian Golf Union Junior National Circuit Ajeetesh played 81, 88, 85 and 84 over par on the first, second, third and fourth days, respectively. On the 18th hole of the final day Ajeetesh sank a 18-foot putt to force his nearest opponent, Surya Prakash of Calcutta, into a play-off . Ajeetesh finally clinched the title on the 21st hole.

Manav Jaini in the under-18-year category, Jaskeerat Dullet in the under -15 category and Arjun Malhotra in the under-11-category won the titles.

Ajeetesh now travels to Mumbai to take part in the Western India Championships.

Governor’s XI win by two wickets
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Dec 17 — The Punjab Governor's XI scored a two wicket win over the Western Army Commander's XI during a friendly 25-over match played here today.

The Governor, Lieut Gen J.F.R. Jacob (Retd) and the Army Commander, Lieut Gen Surjit Singh captained their respective teams.

An over was bowled by the Army Commander to the Governor, who scored a single run. The Army Commander's IX managed to score 123 runs. The Governor's XI won the game by scoring 128 runs for the loss of eight wickets.

Maj Daljit Singh of the Army Comander's XI was declared man of the match. (Photo on page 1)

Reez, Pulkit win prizes
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Dec 17 — In an attempt to generate awareness about health and hygiene, breast feeding and immunisation, a baby show was organised by VLCC here today.

As many as 50 babies from the city participated in the show under four categories based on age group. The tiny tots were judged on the basis of the overall health of the baby (height, weight, milestones, vaccination details, mental growth and hygiene), conduct of the baby and overall looks.

Reez (below 1 year), Pulkit (1 to 2 years), Anahita (2 to 3 years) and Aman Lunia (3 to 5 years) won prizes in the healthy baby contest. While Ritik Luthra (below 1 year), Kartik (1 to 2 years), Krishna (2 to 3 years), Gursimran Kaur (3 to 5 years) won the ‘most interactive child’ contest. In the most photogenic child contest Manan Arora (below 1 year), Sirat (1 to 2 years) and Saysha (3 to 5 years) won prizes. Lovey Singh (below 1 year), Paarth (1 to 2 years), Pavit Singh (2 to 3 years) and Aman Vihaan (3 to 5 years) got consolation prizes.