HEALTH

Docs get tips on heart
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 30
More than 70 per cent of the congenital heart disorders (CHDs) can be surgically corrected. If the surgery is successful, the heart can function normally throughout life, said Dr Krishna S. Iyer, Senior Consultant and in charge (paediatric and congenital heart surgery), Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre, at a symposium on cardiac surgery organised by the Hero DMC Heart Institute (HDHI) here yesterday.

Dr Iyer , while talking to Ludhiana Tribune, said in India, over two lakh children were born with CHDs every year. Roughly one of every 100 children was born with CHD in the world, he said, adding that 75,000 out of the two lakh children in India needed surgery. Only 5,000 to 6,000 operations are performed every year due to lack of awareness, he observed.

“A vast majority of the defects (CHDs) are by chance. Some other factors, like chromosomal or maternal drug intake, can also cause heart defects among infants. Timely and proper treatment can save the life of the child,” said Dr Iyer.

The expert warned that if a CHD was left untreated, it could cause an irreversible damage. A hole in the heart could damage the lungs of the child, eventually leading to his death. A number of infants suffered from a hole in the heart, he said, adding that there could be narrowing of blood vessels and abnormal connections to the heart as well.

Dr Iyer said due to the recent advances in the medical field, even a one-day-old baby could be treated surgically. “But the treatment is available in limited centres in the country, due to which many children are left untreated,” he maintained.

To update their knowledge regarding the new advancements in the field of cardiac surgery, more than 70 physicians and consultants from various city hospitals attended the symposium.

The chairpersons of the programme were Prof S.B. Khurana, former Principal of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), Dr G.S. Wander, Chief Cardiologist, HDHI, Dr Naresh Sood, Cardiologist, HDHI and Prof Daljit Singh, Dean and Head, Paediatrics Department, DMCH.

The major lectures were delivered by Dr Rajneesh Malhotra, Senior Consultant in Cardiac Surgery, HDHI, and Dr K.S. Iyer. Dr Iyer stressed that an early diagnosis and timely intervention played a crucial role in the survival of the patient.

The lectures were followed by question-answer sessions, in which the consultants clarified the doctors’ queries. Many senior consultants, including Dr Sandeep Puri and Dr J. Wig, were also present on the occasion.

Conference on genetics
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 30
With the latest advances and unravelling of the human genome, genetics is the latest buzzword in the field of medicine and a lot of emphasis is laid on the genetic aspect of the disease. Keeping in view this development, the Anatomy Department of the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) organised a CME in clinical anatomy, “An update in genetics”, here yesterday.

According to a press release, more than 200 delegates from places like Uttaranchal, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Chandigarh attended the CME. The conference aimed at updating the knowledge of doctors and medical students regarding the recent advances in the field. The event was inaugurated by Dr S.C.Ahuja, Principal, DMCH, who appreciated the efforts made by the Anatomy Department by organising such an event.

The first session started with a talk by Dr I.C.Verma, Head of Genetic Lab, or Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi who highlighted the importance of genetics in preventing and treating many congenital abnormalities. Dr Swarna Bhardwaj, WHO nominee stressed the importance of genetics in medical curriculum and discussed how to go about it. Dr Kiran Kucheria from the AIIMS talked about the “Human genetics and emerging areas of clinical practice” and the techniques helpful in identifying the underlying cause of many anomalies.

Dr R.J. Singh, Head of the Pediatric Surgery at DMC, gave a talk on the surgical complications and ethical considering of children born with abnormalities. Dr Daljit Singh, HOD (Pediatrics), gave an account of the structure of chromosomes and elaborated on the genetic aspect of certain pediatric syndrome.

Amongst others present on the occasion were Dr Indrajeet Deewan, Dr N.Dube, Dr S.P.Thapar, Dr Chandrama Anand, Dr J.C.Saha and Dr S.S. Sidhu.

Ayurveda all set to spread its wings
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 30
Ayurveda is now all set to spread its wings in Eastern countries also. The Technology Export Development Organisation (TEDO), a joint cell of the Government of India’s Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and Confederation of Indian Industry, after including ayurveda as a technology in its task list, has started initiating various steps.

For this purpose a 15-member delegation comprising leading Indian ayurvedic industrialists, heads of ayurvedic institutions, and representatives of the DSIR and the CII have been selected by TEDO to visit China, Korea, Malaysia and Indonesia, from October 14 to 28, to study and submit report of technical advancements on alternative systems of medicine and scope of ayurveda as an upcoming technology. Ayurvedacharya Dr Pradeep Nagrath, Managing Director and Chief of RandD wing of the local Pentavox Herbals, has been included in this high powered delegation.

Union Health Minister Shatrughan Sinha will himself lead the delegation to China and Korea and Union Health Secretary (ISM) Malti Sinha will lead the delegation to Malaysia and Indonesia, for which adequate arrangements have been made by the local embassies with concerned departments in these countries.

Eye operation camp
Our Correspondent

Amloh, September 30
A free eye operation and check-up camp, organised by the Lions Club, Patiala (Classic), in the Civil Hospital, Amloh, concluded here yesterday.

About 675 patients were examined on Saturday, out of which 125 were operated upon by Dr Sachin Walia and Dr Jatinder Kausal, eye specialists from Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, said Mr Dalip Verma and Ravinder Verma, president and secretary of the club, respectively.

Patients were also provided medicines free of cost. Manav Bhalai Manch, Amloh, provided food to the patients, besides other assistance.

GCW eves win hockey title
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, September 30
Government College for Women, Ludhiana, defeated Khalsa Senior Secondary School, Kila Raipur, 6-5, to win the final in the Ludhiana District Women Hockey Championship at the Guru Nanak Stadium here today. As there was no decision in the regular period, sudden death rule was applied in which local girls emerged victorious by converting six penalty strokes into goals, whereas Kila Raipur players missed one stroke and lost the match.

The match got off to a brisk start with both the teams making repeated forays into each other's territory, but failed to pierce through the opposition defence line. In the first half, it was an evenly contested affair. Local girls got two penalty corners which were thwarted by the Kila Raipur team. Kila Raipur players, too, managed to enter their rival's danger zone, but their attempts also failed to yield any result.

In the second half, Government College girls started with renewed vigour and raided Kila Raipur's territory time and again, but could not score any goal. They earned three more penalty corners, but in vain.

As there was no decision in the stipulated time, penalty strokes were awarded. Both teams converted five pushes into goal to level the score at five each. Manpreet, Manjot, Jyoti, Sarabjit and Kamaljeet Kaur scored for the winners while for Kila Raipur team Avneet, Neelamjeet, Gurpreet, Harpreet and Mandeep found the target. In the final attempt Government College's captain, Manpreet, was able to score a goal while Kila Raipur's Avneet pushed the ball aside to go down, 5-6.

Earlier, in the semifinals, Government College for Women, Ludhiana, blanked Khalsa College, Sidhwan, 2-0, and Khalsa Senior Secondary School, Kila Raipur defeated Khalsa College Club, Ludhiana, 3-0, to set up the title clash.

Mr O.A.K. Sondhi, Assistant Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, gave away prizes to the winners.