The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

HEALTH

Rise in cholera, typhoid cases
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 6
Gastroenteritis has claimed two lives in the city, while scores of others are admitted to various hospitals after rains played havoc with the drinking water supply. At several places sewerage had contaminated the drinking water supply.

Confirming the two deaths, Dr Sandeep Puri, Medical Superintendent, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), said both deaths occurred on July 4. He said Indrawati Sharma, a 75-year-old woman from Civil Lines, died on arrival to the hospital. “She was brought in a serious condition a few days ago,” he added.

There has been a steep rise in the cases of cholera and typhoid in the city, with the Civil Surgeons office virtually having no clue about the number of deaths taking place in different city hospitals and nursing homes. Another victim, Jaswant Kaur, also died at the DMCH after contracting alimentary disease. This 60-year-old hailed from Alunamiana village in Payal tehsil.

As no centralised data is available on the number patients being admitted to various hospitals, many deaths from infectious diseases of the alimentary canal have gone unreported. Dr Puri also disclosed seven cholera patients were discharged today from the hospital after getting treatment. He said the hospital received 21 cholera patients, 14 out of which were outside patients.

The administration has not identified any particular area as disease-prone and cases have been reported from most parts of the city. Low-lying areas where water has been accumulated over a large period of time and is said to have seeped into the drinking water supply are more prone to the disease, which spreads through water.

Heart attacks afflict the youth
Shivani Bhakoo

Ludhiana, July 6
Modern life-style has taken a toll of the youth with more young persons suffering heart attacks. There is bad news for women too. Till recently women were believed to be less prone to coronary artery disease (CAD), but the discovery of syndrome-X has exploded this myth, making women as susceptible to heart attacks as men.

Dr G.S. Wander, Cardiac Surgeon, Hero DMC Heart Institute, says that women are afflicted by CAD at a slightly older age than men. Recent studies have shown that women in the reproductive age group who were largely considered safe from heart trouble before menopause, may also be afflicted if there are predisposing factors such as diabetes, sedentary life-style, obesity, genetic status or family history, hypertension and lack of physical activity.

A recent study conducted by Coronary Artery Disease Institute (CADI) in Lisle found that the Indian community had higher levels of a dangerous genetic factor called lipoprotein-a or Lp(a) than other ethnic groups. It is 10 times more effective in causing clogged arteries that lead to heart disease than bad cholesterol.

Most of the cardiologist in the city agree that Punjabis are more prone to CAD. They say that 3 or 4 per cent of the ruralities and 9 to 11 per cent of the urban people are afflicted by the disease. “The percentage is rising every year due to the rich diet and sedentary and stressful life-style.”

A study presented at the American Heart Association’s scientific sessions has said unusually heavy meal increases the risk of heart attack about four times within two hours of eating. Doctors agree that men have a masculine type of obesity, which deposits fat in the abdominal area. Women have gynecoid type of obesity and the fat generally collects around the thighs and hips.

Dr V.M. Kohli, Chief Cardiac Surgeon at Hero-DMC Heart Institute, says that Punajbis are more vulnerable to heart attacks compared to people from other states due to the fat content in their diet. He says that a heavy meal adversely affects the heart. The food releases many hormones into the bloodstream that increase the heart beat and blood pressure. A temporary rise in the blood pressure increases the oxygen requirements and puts extra pressure on the heart. High blood pressure can cause cholesterol plaques in the arterial walls, triggering the formation of a clot.

Dr M.Chishti, another leading cardiac surgeon of the city, says that recent studies have shown that Syndrome-X makes Indians four times more susceptible to heart attacks than Europeans, Americans, Japanese and Chinese. “Indians below the age of 40 are at ten times higher risk than others. The women are also as vulnerable as men. WHO has predicted that by 2010, India will have 60 per cent of the world’s heart patients,” says Dr Chishti.

ADMINISTRATION

24-hr power supply scheme inaugurated
Our Correspondent

Ahmedgarh, July 6
Mr Baldev Singh Mann, General Secretary, SAD and Managing Executive of the Punjab State Electricity Board inaugurated 24-hour power supply projects at Jandali Khurd and Dhulekote villages today.

Commenting upon the power needs of the state he said that extra capacity of 2000 MW was required just to deal the pending applications. It would require Rs 9,000 crore, which was not possible in the near future.

Later, the Executive Member inaugurated another project at Dhulkote village in Kilaraipur Assembly segment.

Ban on transfers
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 6
The Punjab Government has banned all transfers in the Health Department. No person will be shuffled except on mutual, administrative and vacant posts.

The decision was taken by the Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, at a meeting with Punjab Health Department Action Committee today.

Mr Harpal Singh, press secretary, in a statement today said the meeting was attended by the representatives of Punjab Health Department Subordinate Offices Clerical Association, Punjab Ophthalmic Officers Association, Punjab Nurses Association, Punjab State Pharmacist Association, Para Medical Health Employees Union and Punjab Laboratory and Radiographers Association.