HEALTH

Blocked arteries: new technique in USA
Our Correspondent

SAS Nagar, July 12
Newer generation of coated stents for blocked arteries are now in use in the USA which are not at present available here.

Stating this here Dr Ajay Pal Singh, medical and heart specialist at the local Civil Hospital, who has just returned after training in invasive and non-invasive cardiovascular medicine from the USA, said the coated stents served the dual purpose of a clot repellent and kept the blocked artery potent for double the duration of the ordinary stents.

Dr Ajay Pal Singh, who received preceptorship — cardiology training for six weeks under the renowned cardiologist, Dr Paul A. Jones, Medical Director, Interventional Cardiovascular Medicine & Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Mercy Hospital, Chicago, said he got acquainted with the latest technology in coronary stent placement and the upcoming field of peripheral stent placement in blocked leg, neck and abdominal arteries.

The doctor also visited various other state-of-the-art cardiac facilities at Rush Pressbyterian Hospital, North Western Hospital and Loyalla University Hospital at Chicago.

100 persons donate blood
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 12
Nearly 100 persons donated blood at a blood donation camp held at a hotel in Sector 35-C here today.

Organised in the aid of thalassaemic children, the camp was conducted by a team of doctors of the PGI. Mr Ravinder Krishan, an income tax lawyer, was the chief guest, which was seventh in a row.

Stressing the need for voluntary blood donation, Mr Ashok Dua, Managing Director of the hotel, said such camps would help to end commercialisation of blood donation.

Poster-making contest held
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 12
The PGI Community Medicine Department observed the World Population Day in Kakrali village, Panchkula district group discussions and poster competition on the importance of family planning were held on the occassion. The function was held at the house of the local sarpanch with active participation of the community.

Speaking on the ocassion, Dr Chugh, public health expert, emphasied that incentives should not be the only criteria to motivate people to opt for a permanent method of contraception.

Ms Anita Tiwari and Mr Kamal Behl informed the villagers about different methods of contraception and stressed that people should themselves realise the importance of a small family and educate others as well.

Dr Ashoo Grover said antenatal sex determination was not a good practice and should be discouraged. Interestingly, during the interactive session villagers blamed the social workers and the health providers for encouraging the practice of antenatal sex determination.

Anil, Manisha and Vipul secured the first second and third positions in the poster competition.

GMCH working hours
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 12
The Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, will revert to regular working hours from July 16 after the vacations.

The OPD registration will be from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and the hospital working timings will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

According to the Medical Superintendent, Prof Raj Bahadur, the emergency services will be available round the clock.

SPORTS

Football meet from July 26
Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, July 12
The Inter-School Pre-Subroto Mukerjee Cup Football Tournament, both for sub-juniors (11 to 14 years) and juniors (15 to 17 years), will be held here from July 26 to 28. The last date for sending entries is July 24. Entries may be sent to Mr Karan Singh, Principal, Govenment Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 33-D. The draws for the tournaments will be made on July 24 at 1 p.m. at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 33-D.

Sports tournament

The Guru Gobind Singh Sports Club, Dadumajra, in association with the Democratic Youth Federation of India will host annual sports tournament on August 11 and 12 at Dadumajra.

According to Mr Amarjit Singh, secretary of the club, the sport events namely kabaddi (national and circle style), athletic events and race for aged persons will be organised.

Karate meet

The following Karate players from the city have been selected for the International Karate Selection Championshp-2001, to be held between July 13 and July 15, at Kaithal in Haryana. Abhin Sharma, Jubin, Chetan, Nitin, Himanshu, Paramveer, Baljit, Surinder, Naresh Gupta, Raj Kumar, Simran, Ajay, Ashish, Puneet, Kishore, and Meenu Sharma.

ADMINISTRATION

Drive to check plying of pvt buses
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 12
The city traffic police launched a special drive in association with the State Transport Authority in order to check the illegal plying of private buses without route permits for two hours last night.

According to information available, six private buses plying without the route permits were challaned. The STA has reportedly issued challans of Rs 5000 each on these bus operators.

As part of this drive, three Tata Sumos were also challaned for plying as taxis. The sumos were also impounded by the STA.

Meanwhile, the DSP (Traffic), Mr Vijaypal Singh, said today that complaint-cum-suggestion cards for thousands of three-wheelers plying in the city would now be available to city residents at all the police beat boxes and traffic booths in the city.

It may be recalled that the traffic police and the State Transport Authority had earlier announced this scheme of distributing the complaint and suggestion cards amongst the general public.

Sapling plantation drive
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, July 12
The schedule for plantation of saplings during the afforestation drive in the district was announced, here today.

Giving details, the Deputy Commissioner, Ms Jyoti arora, said that the sapling-plantation drive would ensure that the plantation drive was taken seriously and the sapling survival rate was increased.

Involving officials of all departments, the drive would begin on July 16, the two villages of Bitna and Tipra in Pinjore block being the first to launch the “green mission”. A total of 1,500 saplings would be planted at these places. The drive would conclude at Police lines on August 3 where 5,000 saplings would be planted.

Meanwhile, all officers have been asked to ensure that the work of digging pits is completed well before the date of plantation. All Block and Development Officers have also been asked to make adequate arrangements for the transportation of plants from the nursery to the place of plantation.

She said the DFOs of Pinjore and Morni, would be the nodal officers for organising the plantation campaign in the district. They would be required to supply literature relating to the procedure of plantation and the care of saplings after plantation.