HEALTH

‘Sun strokes can be fatal’
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, May 11
If you are experiencing “feverish lassitude” after a trip outdoors do not take it lightly, please. Chances are that you may be suffering from a mild heat stroke, like so many other city residents exposed to the sun.

According to medical experts, cases of heat stroke, characterised by a rise in the body temperature caused by excessive exposure to heat, were increasing in the city, due to the rising temperature.

They add that everyday, doctors at polyclinics, besides private practitioners, were receiving a large number of patients with heat stroke symptoms. Though exact data was not available, doctors said as many as two to three patients were visiting each polyclinic in the city daily. Most of the victims were two-wheeler riders and daily wagers. Experts further claim that heat stroke should not be ignored, lest it should lead to ‘medical complications’.

Giving details of the symptoms, doctors at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research say, besides feverish lassitude, the victim of heat stroke sometimes experienced ‘simple fainting’ also. Severe heatstroke also caused the patient to collapse, a symptom akin to that seen in cases of acute shock. This, the doctors add, was potentially lethal if prompt treatment was not given.

As far as the treatment is concerned, Dr G.S. Sandhu, a private practitioner, says, “the recovery is prompt in cases of mild heat stroke. All you have to do is to take good rest and replenish the salt lost in sweat”.

The best way to do so, the doctor adds, is to gulp drinks containing salt. If such drinks are not available at home, ‘you should add salt in a refreshing glass of nimbu pani and drink it’.

In cases of extreme dehydration, prompt treatment is required. “After carefully allowing the body to cool down and administrating fluids to the victim, he should be treated professionally. The best thing to do in such cases is to call the doctor at home, instead of taking the patient to the clinic”.

Regarding the precautions to be taken in such cases, Dr Sandhu says that unnecessary exposure to direct sun should be avoided. “In case you have to go out in the sun”, Dr Sandhu asserts, “make sure that you wrap yourself up in a cool white summer jacket and wear a golf cap before going out”. He adds, “Otherwise also, drink a lot of water. At least 10 to 15 glasses a day to make sure that you do not get dehydrated”.

PGI timings
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 11
The hospital timing at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) from May 16 onwards will be 7 a.m. to 1.30 p.m., an official press release said here today. The changed timing will be effective up to July 15.

Registration of outdoor patients will be done from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. on all working days. Emergency services will, however, will be available round-the-clock, as usual.

Tennis academy opens at Mount Carmel-47
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, May 11
The Mount Carmel Total Tennis Academy was today formally opened by Mr P.K. Verma, Financial Commissioner, Development, Punjab, on the premises of Mount Carmel School, Sector 47. The aim of the project is to promote mini tennis at the first instance. The concept of mini tennis has been given a go ahead by the All-India Tennis Association (AITA) and the children from three to six years of age will be given separate set of racquets and balls so as to avoid any injury.

Mr L.D. Kapoor, who initiated this project, said the game would get a boost in southern sectors. Ms Annie Charles, Vice-Principal, said they had taken the decision to boost sports in a big way.

Earlier, Mr Verma also inaugurated the C block of the school building. A cultural programme was also organised. Mr Satish Chandra, Chairman, Punjab Pollution Control Board, Mr Amarpal Singh, Director Transport, Isha Toor, an AITA champion, among others were present on the occasion. (Photo on page 1)

Chess championship: The UT Chess Championship for under 8,10, and15 age groups for both boys and girls sections concluded here today at St Xavier's Senior Secondary School, Sector 44. The meet was organised by the Chandigarh Chess Association. The results are: (girls) under-8 — Ipshita 1, Simarjeet 2; under-10 — Prerna 1, Akanksha 2; under-15 — Preeti 1, Shweta 2; (boys) under-8 — Aarjav Raj 1, Harjit 2; unde-10 — Sahil Bhatia1, Himal Gausain 2; under-15 — Simranjeet Singh 1, Anmol Razdan 2.

Later Mr Razerio,Vice-Principal of the above said school gave away the prizes.

Handball meet: Jammu and Udhampur Area and Chandigarh Area in Pool A while Hindon Area and Ambala Area in Pool B have secured their berths in the semi-final of the respective pools in the Air Force Inter-Area Handball Championship being played here today at 12 wing AF.

In the matches played today, Hindon Area beat Ambala Area 18-14 with half time score 10-9. Jammu and Udhampur area got the better of Adampur Area18-5 with half time score 11-2. In yet another tie, Chandigarh Area outplayed Jammu and Udhampur 23-16 with half time score 13-9. In the last match of the evening, Srinagar and Leh Area defeated Jammu and Udhampur Area 37-9. Tomorrow Chandigarh Area will meet Hindon Area while Jammu and Udhampur Area will face Ambala Area in the semifinals.

Cricket tourney: A superb performance by Gaurav Gambhir who claimed four wickets for 30 runs and Sumandeep who bagged three wickets for 22 runs helped Taurus Cricket Club in beating Energetic Club by 25 runs in the C division tie of the UT league cricket tournament played here today. In other matches of the day, DAV Coaching Centre B outplayed Maloya XI by eight wickets while ICC XI defeated Bedi XI by 65 runs.

Squash tournament: The First CSRA-Mohali Club Squash Tournament began here late evening at Yadavindra Public School, SAS Nagar. Supreet Singh of Mumbai is seeded one in the tournament. International player from the YPS, Jai Sekhon, is seeded first in under-17 category while reigning Scottish under-13 champion Harinder Sandhu, playing an age group above his actual, is seeded second.

A total of 83 entries have been received, though a limit per institution placed by the CSRA in order to keep the numbers small and manageable. The next tournament on similar lines, will be held in July. The Outstation entries have come from Welham’s Boys’ School, Dehradun, Bishop Cotton School, Shimla, YPS, Patiala, while locals are from YPS, SAS Nagar, St. John’s High School, DAV School, DAV College, and various other institutes.

Mechanics removed from markets
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 11
The Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh claimed that it had confiscated seven truckloads of mechanics’ equipment from Sectors 21, 27 and 28 here today. The Enforcement Wing also penalised 90 mechanics for not shifting from these places in spite of receiving notices to do so. The deadline for shifting was yesterday.

There was a minor verbal duel in Sector 21 when the Enforcement Wing officials tried to remove some other encroachments on the market corridors. The anti-encroachment drive was led by the Municipal Secretary, Mr H.H. Khandola.

The Administration has built shops for 850 mechanics out of about 1,300 and one mechanics’ complex was inaugurated yesterday.