HEALTH

Indian girls anaemic, says report
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 18
Anaemia is a major public health problem in the world today. Recent studies have revealed that 65 per cent to 75 per cent of the adolescent girls in India are anaemic. Adolescent girls are particularly prone to iron deficiency anaemia because of the increased demands of iron by the body.

A study in this regard was conducted by Ms Gaganpreet Kaur, under the guidance of Dr (Ms) Inderjit Singh, Head of the Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Home Science, PAU, on rural adolescent girls between 13 and 15 years of age at nearby villages of Ludhiana.

The study revealed that the consumption of cereals, pulses, green leafy vegetables, and other vegetables was inadequate among these girls. The intake of protein, iron and other essential nutrients by these girls was also found to be inadequate when compared to the recommended dietary allowances.

Stool samples of the subjects showed that 57.4 per cent had helminth infestation. This was caused due to unhygienic conditions. Moreover, fruits and vegetables were also not adequately washed and cooked, the study revealed.

The blood haemoglobin level of the girls was 9.0 g/dl, which indicated that the subjects were anaemic. The lower haemoglobin level was attributed to the combined adverse affects of nutrient deficiency, parasitic infestation, poor food choices, and ignorance of dietary requirements. The girls skipped their breakfast in order to remain slim and did not take adequate food, said the report. In school canteens, emphasis was on eating junk food which also contributed to anaemia.

Dietary habits of the adolescents must be improved for the long range effects on health. In the project education on nutrition was imparted to the girls for a period of three months at weekly intervals. A dietary chart was also prepared. The girls were asked to increase the intake of wheat, rice, maize, bajra, etc. It was found that the intake of pulses had been merely in right proportion and the girls could increase its consumption.

A diet rich in proteins, green leafy vegetables, pulses, sprouted pulses, soyabean, peanuts, and gur was recommended. They were also advised to increase the intake of fruits like guava, ber, and oranges, which being rich in vitamin C help in the absorption of iron by the body. The girls were advised to eat more of amlas and to go for routine check ups of haemoglobin level.

The nutrition awareness resulted in a significant improvement in the intake of nutritious foods. Haemoglobin level in the girls increased from 9.5g to 10.2g/dl during the course of study. Awareness on nutrition should be included in the school curriculum to improve the dietary habits of the adolescent girls, the study said.

Denial on doctors’ commission
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 18
Diagnostic tests like MRI, CT scan and ultrasound will cost less now in Ludhiana, with one of the centres slashing its prices from 45 to 80 per cent. While some other diagnostic centres are grumbling over it, this has come as a major relief for patients.

Addressing a press conference, Dr O.P. Arora. who runs a neuro centre here, said the purpose was to provide cost-effective dignostic facilities to patients in Ludhiana. He denied that any commission was being given to the doctors referring patients for the tests.

SPORTS

NATIONAL GAMES
Preparations to be over by Aug 15
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, July 18
All arrangements to conduct six disciplines here at Ludhiana during the 31st National Games slated to be held in five major cities of Punjab from September 16 to 29 will completed by August 15.

This was stated by Mr S K Sandhu,, Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, while presiding over a meeting of chairmen of committees constituted for the smooth conduct of the games. He said that 16 committees had been formed for these games. He also informed that the chief guest at the inaugural function of this mega event would be the President of India, Mr K R Narayanan, while the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, will preside over the concluding function on September 29.

Competition in six disciplines — athletics basketball, handball, volleyball, cycling and hockey (women) will be conducted in Ludhiana while other disciplines will be conducted at Jalandhar, Mohali, Patiala and Anandpur Sahib.

Mr Sandhu told that the district administration officers would head these committees. Mr S R Kaler, Additional Deputy Commissioner, will be in charge of finance and administrative committee, Mr A K Sinha, Additional Commissioner (Development), in charge, inauguration and concluding function committee, Mr Raminder Singh, Additional Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, in charge, committee boarding and lodging for players and officials, Mr Kuldip Singh, SSP, Ludhiana, in charge, committee security arrangements and the traffic control committee in charge will be Mr Arun Pal Singh, SP ,Traffic. Mr Harjinder Singh will head the culture and entertainment committee, Mr Karamjit Singh Sarah, Deputy Director, Local Government, in charge, welcome committee, Mr Manjeet Singh Brar, SDM, Ludhiana (west), in charge, committee, hospitality, District Public Relations Officer, Mr P S Kalra, in charge, media and publicity committee, Mr Bhupinder Singh, DTO, Ludhiana, in charge, transport committee, Mrs Rajinder Kaur, Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana, in charge, health and medical committee, telecommunication co-ordination committee, Mr Ramesh Kumar. Mr Sandhu said that some other officers would also be deputed to assist them.

The meeting was attended among others by Dr D K Tandon, Director Technical, National Games, Mr S R Kaler, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mr AK Sinha, ADC.