The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

HEALTH

BODY & MIND
Sensitising bureaucrats, the CCPD way
Tripti Nath

The office of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disablilities (CCPD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, organised a workshop in Vigyan Bhavan on Wednesday to sensitise bureaucrats about optimal employment of visually challenged employees. The workshop was inaugurated by Mr C. Gopal Reddy, Secretary in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Forty Joint Secretaries, Under Secretaries and Directors from 23 ministries participated in the workshop.

Five visually challenged resource persons selected by the CCPD visited 10 ministries and presented a status report on the existing condition of visually challenged employees working in these ministries. Mr Deepender Manocha, Head of the IT Department of the National Association for Blind(NAB), Mr Ashwini, Executive Director of NAB, Ms Manjula Gulati, Principal of School for the Blind, Mr Vinod Sena, Chairman, Committee for the Welfare of the Disabled, Delhi University, and advocate Anjali Arora were among those who made presentations at the workshop.

The Joint Secretary, Disability Division, in the ministry, Mrs Rajwant Sandhu, was also present at the workshop. Mr Manocha displayed a computer fitted with a synthesiser to enable visually challenged people listen to what they type to edit. Mr Sena talked about talking books for the blind.

The CCPD plans to put the list of 1,460 jobs of A, B, C and D group identified for all categories of disability on its website (www.ccpd.org) soon. The workshop was moderated by Mr Vikram Dutt, Rehabilitation Consultant. Mrs Sandhu also spoke about maximum utilisation of visually challenged persons. She said the ministry was willing

to lend financial support to help set up a national library for the visually challenged to anybody willing to take the initiative.

Mr Gopal Reddy said this kind of a workshop should be replicated in other states also.

Kapil opens clinic

India’s cricket legend Kapil Dev inaugurated a knee and shoulder clinic in F block in East of Kailash here on Independence Day. Speaking on the occasion, Kapil Dev said that specialisation by surgeons would enable sportspersons get good treatment in their own country.

The clinic is headed by senior consultant orthopaedic surgeon, Dr J. Maheshwari. Having trained in Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham and Princess Margaret Hospital, Edinburgh, Dr Maheshwari says that most sportsmen have knee and shoulder injuries, which need specialised care. Former Additional Professor Orthopaedics at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, Professor Maheshwari has been practising in North and South Delhi since 1998.

Insulin syringe

Becton Dekinson Ultra-Fine short needle (30G, 8mm) insulin syringe, universally accepted by specialists, was recently launched in the Indian market. The syringe scores high on patient comfort as it has a finer gauge and minimises chances of intra muscular injection. A pack of 10 syringes is available for Rs 67.50. Most patients prefer the syringe as its short size is less threatening and takes care of needle phobia, especially among children and patients who are new to insulin therapy. According to an estimate by the World Health Organisation, 20 per cent of about 35 million diabetics in India depend on insulin. A majority of these patients take insulin through injections at least two times a day. According to WHO projections, the number of diabetics in India will touch 57 million. The prevalence of diabetes has increased from 5.2 per cent in 1986 to 8.2 per cent in 1990 and 11.6 per cent in 1996.

Apollo to the rescue

Dr M. Asif Ali of Apollo Hospital monitoring the patient’s condition in the ambulance during the return journey from Dehra Dun.

In an unusual exercise, the Emergency Department of Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals resorted to land evacuation of a 65-year-old Dehra Dun-based patient on Intra Aortic Baloon Pump. The land evacuation became necessary as time was critical and weather did not permit landing at Dehra Dun airport. On August 2 forenoon, the Emergency Department of Apollo Hospital got a call from Dehra Dun, inquiring about the possibility of moving Lt-Col Negi, who had suffered two heart attacks in two days and was under medication at Military Hospital. The emergency team of Apollo activated air evacuation protocols to bring the patient to Delhi but were informed by the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) that landing at the Dehra Dun airport after sunset would not be possible. They had already loaded and it was already 5 pm.

The Apollo team comprising Dr M. Asif Ali, In-charge, Emergency Services, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Dr Jeevesh Chowdhary, Cardio Thoracic Surgeon, and an IABP (Intra Aortic Baloon Pump) technician decided to take the road journey to Dehra Dun. The team reached Military Hospital the same night. After examining the patient, they

found that he had a blood pressure (BP) level of 40 mm of Hg when 60 to 70 mm of Hg is essential to sustain some form of life. The blockage was very extreme and even the drugs could not open the blockage. The only choice was mechanical intervention with the help of a special device called the Intra Aortic Baloon Pump.

Recalling the experience, Dr Asif Ali says, ``It was about 2 am then. His condition stabilised three to four hours after the balloon pump was put. When we moved out at about 7.50 am, the BP level was 80 mm of Hg. In the meantime, an aircraft was sent from Delhi to Dehra Dun to bring the patient. But we got a call from the Airport Manager that landing was not possible due to bad weather.

The only option then was to bring him to Delhi by road. It was a tough decision but the family asked us to go ahead.

His condition warranted mechanical ventilation, which is justified by sedation and paralysis. On the way, our advanced life support ambulance broke down and we were held up for about 40 minutes before Muzaffarnagar. But, the fighter in him saw him through the crisis. Dr Ali said the patient’s kidneys had shut down and he was on dialysis when the angiogram was done in Delhi. The angiogram of the heart showed a triple vessel block of the coronary arteries. Colonel Negi then underwent a coronary artery bypass graft under a team headed by Dr B.N. Das.

The patient is recuperating in the Intensive Care Unit of Cardio Thoracic Surgery and is likely to be discharged soon.

Commander S. S. Negi is deeply indebted to Apollo Hospital for snatching his father from the jaws of death. ``The response from Apollo was exceptional in terms of the speed and the equipment they were carrying. His condition was extremely critical and he would not have made it had the Apollo team not made it well in time,’’ he says.

Herbal toothpaste

Colgate Herbal toothpaste has now launched a flavour with exotic herbs, including chamomile, sage, eucalyptus and myrrh. These herbs are known to soothe oral ailments as toothaches, mouth ulcers and gum sores. New Colgate Herbal has a new green and white stripe look and is available at Rs 14 (50g), Rs 27 (100g) and Rs 49 (200g). As a special trial offer, the 50g pack will retail at Rs 10 per pack till August-end or till stocks last.

Seminar on AIDS

The National Cadet Corps organised a seminar on the menace of AIDS during the National Integration Camp at NCC Parade Grounds from August 12 to 17. Dr David Miller, Country Adviser, UNAIDS programme, addressed more than 700 cadets and officers of the NCC.

DMA honours

The Delhi Medical Association honoured three doctors and the head of a herbal pharmaceutical company in recognition of their distinguished service and pioneering contribution to medicine on its 88th Foundation Day on August 15. Senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Arun Jaitley gave away the awards to Dr Purshottam Lal of Metro Hospitals and Heart Institute of Cardiology, Dr S.R Dasgupta, CEO and MD of Herbicure, Dr Pushpendra N. Renjen, Senior Consultant, Neurology, and Dr Sameer Kaul, Senior Consultant Oncology, at Indraprastha Apollo hospital.

Presiding over the function, Delhi Health Minister, Dr A.K. Walia, congratulated the doctors for their commendable services and appealed to them to organise health events. The DMA President, Dr S.C.L Gupta, appealed to the members to help in making Delhi the medical capital of India.

SPORTS

DU clinch Abul Kalam Trophy
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, August 17
Delhi University ended the undisputed supremacy of Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar, when they were declared the winners of the coveted Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy for excellence in sports among Indian Universities by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Delhi University Director of Sports Dr J S Naruka said in the Capital on Saturday that as per the evaluation made by the Association of Indian Universities, the University of Delhi scored 9,280 points with GNDU finishing a distant second at 6645 points, after computing the points earned by all Universities in the country in All-India Inter-Varsity Sports competitions (men and women). Dr Naruka said there are about 270 universities who compete in 60 sports events at the all-India level.

Delhi emerged winners in nine disciplines, runners-up in eight, and got third place in three disciplines. It is going to be the 14th time that Delhi University would be claiming the prestigious trophy, though the last time Delhi won the trophy was nine years ago. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh. Delhi University will be resented the trophy when the President of India confers the Arjuna and Dronacharya Awards to eminent sportspersons at Ashoka Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan on National Sports Day on August 29, which is also the birthday of the late hockey wizard Dhyan Chand.

Dr Naruka thanked the sports fraternity of Delhi University, particularly the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Deepak Nayyar, Chairmen of the Delhi University Sports Council, Prof R.S. Mann and Prof M. C. Agrawal, Dr S N Gupta, Dr Sudarshan Pathak, and coaches led by S S Kapoor, for their support and encouragement to Delhi University in helping them top the sports chart.

Dr Naruka also thanked the Sports Ministry and the Sports Authority of India for providing coaches to train the sportspersons of Delhi University and help them win the Maulana Abdul Kalam Trophy.

Rockey scores

Rockey scored three goals in a row, Ritesh struck two goals and Kamlesh struck one goal as Ganga International School, Hiran Kudna beat St. Mary’s School, Paschim Vihar by six goals to nil in the first

Zonal Junior Football Tournament at the Ganga International School ground. Principal of Ganga International Harender Kaur and manager Sushil Gupta distributed the prizes. Rockey was named the man of the match.

PNB make merry against BoI
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, August 17
Punjab National Bank made merry against Bank of India to slam in six goals without reply in a Group A match of the Delhi Soccer Association Institutional League at Ambedkar Stadium in the Capital on Saturday.

Later, in a Group B league match, Reserve Bank of India defeated IGPCL/BSES (formerly Delhi Vidyut Board) 4-2. Punjab National Bank (PNB) led by four goals at the interval. Former international Bhupender Thakur opened their account in the sixth minute while defender Ravi Negi scored the second goal in the 10th minute.

Bhupender Thakur struck again in the 14th minute to make it 3-0 while mid-fielder Biren Meetei shot in from 30 yards out in the 29th minute to complete the first half scoring.

In the second half, Biren Meetei increased PNB’s lead in the 49th minute while Deepu Lama completed the tally in the 58th minute.

In the second match, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had to battle hard to tame IGPCL/BSES. RBI forged ahead in the 15th minute when Shailender Rawat scored a fine goal. Mid-fielder Rakesh Rawat scored a brace of goals in the 25th and 35th minutes. In between, Ram Singh of IGPCL pulled one back to reduce the margin in the 35th minute. IGPCL’s Vikram Bhandari scored the equaliser. Substitute Rajesh Kanojia scored the fourth goal for RBI in the 46th minute.

Sunday’s fixtures: DTC vs AIIMS (7.45 a m); DDA vs Railway Board (2.30 p m); Delhi Audit vs FCI, Headquarters (4 p m)—Ambedkar Stadium.

Nivia Academy win

Nivia Football Academy edged past Vasant Valley School 3-1 in the opening match of the Nivia Football Tournament for Under-16 at Ambedkar Stadium in the Capital. Mahavir scored a brace for Nivia Academy while Kapil Yadav booted home the third goal. Govind Singh scored the consolation goal for Vasant Valley School (1-3).

Sunday’s fixtures: Modern School, Noida vs Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan (2 p m); Nivia Football Academy vs DDA Football Academy (3.30 p m)—-Ambedkar Stadium..