HEALTH

Lowering infections among babies
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 23
Prof S. K. Sharma, Director of the PGI, today stressed on the urgent need to try and lower newborn infection rates for successfully reducing the newborn mortality rate.

Speaking at the single-theme workshop on Neonatal Sepsis, Prof Anil Narang presented some convincing data that showed new-born infection rates increasing sharply in low birth weight and premature babies. He mentioned that baby boys are at a far higher risk of developing infections and dying of infection.

Dr Dutta talked about the difficulty in diagnosing a serious newborn infection because many conditions overlapped with the presentation of infection.

Dr Vinod K. Paul from AIIMS stressed that meningitis or brain infection must be suspected in every baby with suspected blood stream infection. Dr Samit Saha from Dhaka spoke about blood culture which is the definite way to diagnose infection in the blood.

Workshop held
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 23
A workshop on Clinical Pharmacology organised by the Department of Pharmacology of the PGI was held in which stress was laid on the development of new drugs that could be safe, effective and affordable to the masses. At present nearly 90 per cent of drugs are produced by the USA, European Union and Japanese Multinational Industries. The process of new drug development is very expensive.

These views were expressed by prominent speakers including Prof P.L. Sharma, former Department Head and Dean of the PGI, Dr A. Sankaranarayanan, Assistant Director, New Drug Development, Ahmedabad, Dr Shoibal Mukherjee from Pfizer Industries, Mumbai, Dr Nilanjan Saha of Ranbaxy Research, New Delhi, Prof V.K. Bhargava, former Head of the Department, Dr P. Pandhi, Head, Dr H. Batta, Dr S.K. Garg and Dr R.Uppal.

SPORTS

PU shuttlers bring silver medal
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, February 23
Panjab University shuttlers in women section returned home with a silver medal in the All-India Inter-Varsity Badminton Meet, which concluded at Jiwaji University, Gwalior, on February 19. The team comprised H. Sarda, Nazma Praveen, Parnita Verma and Samritika Sharma. The team was coached by Mr Surinder Mahajan, while Mr S. N. Sharma was the manager. Mr Mahajan said many top-ranked national players like Shri Laxmi and Radhika Reddy of Andhra Pradesh and Pooja Patil of Karnataka were in the fray. PU eves put in their best efforts to outplay fancied AP team players in the semifinals.

In the semifinals, PU played against South Zone Inter-University Champions Nagarjuna University team and outclassed them 2-1. In the first singles, H. Sarda beat Radhika Reddy 2-7, 3-7, 6-8, while in the doubles, H. Sarda and Nazma lost to Shri Laxmi and Radhika Reddy 2-7, 3-7, 6-8. But in the third match, Nazma Praveen proved too good for Radhika and beat her 7-1, 7-2, 4-7, 7-4.

Later in the finals, PU lost to Bangalore 0-2. Sarda lost to Pooja Patil, a national player, 4-7, 5-7, 3-7, while in the doubles, Sarda and Nazma were beaten by Pooja and Aditi Biswas 2-7, 1-7, 2-7.

40 riders to test their skills

As many as 40 riders, with nine in scooter section and rest in motor cycle section, will brave the city roads along with peripheral areas, including the semi-hilly terrains, as part of two-wheeler rally championships organised by the Chandigarh Motor Sports Association tomorrow.

According to Mr Shashi Garcha, president of the CMSA, the rally will begin tomorrow at 9 am and will proceed via PGI to Nayagaon, Prampura, Khera, Kona, Khuda Lahora, North Park (Hot Millions), Panchkula, Ramgarh, Bhankerpur, Madhya Marg and finally culminate at Indian Oil Bhavan, Sector 19.

Mr Garcha said the prizes would be separate for motor cycle and scooter categories. The Indian Oil top prize winner could get Rs 5,000 in open class, while rider securing top position among Kawasaki Bajaj riders would get Rs 4,000. Similarly in the scooter section, Coca Cola open class winner would get Rs 5,000 while Bajaj group would award first prize of Rs 4,000 to the riders among its make scooters.

The 62-year-old Mukhtiar Singh Chauhan will be the oldest participant. The participants today had their preliminary formalities completed, including the check drive to the rally route.

Referee appointed

Bharti Vij, a former Ranji player, has been appointed match referee for two Deodhar tie matches by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Vij will be referee for the West Zone-East Zone tie on February 26 in New Delhi followed by another tie between West Zone- Central Zone tie on February 27 at Gurgaon.

Handball meet

DAV School Club ‘B’ team got the better of DAV School Club ‘A’ team 25-22 on the final day of the Chandigarh Senior State Handball Championships held at DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8. The half-time score was 17-16 in favour of winners. Sanjay and Raman, who scored eight goals each, were the top scorers for the winners, while Mukesh with nine goals was the highest scorer for the losers. Third place went to Coaching Centre, Sector 21.

Annual sports meet concludes

Dera Bassi
The fourth annual sports meet of Sri Sukhmani Institute of Engineering and Technology concluded here today.

Various team events, including football, cricket, basketball, volleyball and other track and field events were organised during the meet.

The Nag House of the college won the overall trophy of the session. Mr Iqbaljit Singh, a student of Computer Science and Engineering (2nd year), was declared best sports man and the best athlete of the year, while Harkeerat Kaur, a student of first year was adjudged best athlete among girl students.

In a press note, Dr Kirpal Singh, the college principal, said the chairman of the institute, Mr Avtar Singh, inaugurated the meet on February 21, while Mr Jagjit Singh Dalli, president of Dera Bassi Municipal Council, was the chief guest on the valedictory function today.