HEALTH

Overcrowding & absent doctors afflict OPDs
R. D. Sapra

Sonepat, October 8
A random survey of government hospitals, dispensaries, community health centres, primary health centres and private nursing homes as well as interviews conducted with specialists and private medical practitioners in this city and other parts of the district has brought forth the revelation that the available medical facilities are wholly inadequate because of the continuous influx of population from the surrounding villages.

The survey shows that the city’s public hospitals and dispensaries are overcrowded, ill-equipped and understaffed. Insufficient stocks of vital drugs and other essential articles of everyday use tell upon the efficiency of the staff. Almost all government and private hospitals have unhygienic conditions and stinking surroundings are a common feature. The non-availability of medicines and skeletal availability of medical officers only add to the misery of the patients whose maladies worsen instead of getting cured in this stifling atmosphere.

A large number of patients can be seen in queues, awaiting the medical officers in the local Civil Hospital. The OPD is supposed to be opened at 8 am during summer but not a single doctor turns up for duty on time. Similarly, the heads of departments and other staff in the Civil Surgeon’s Office are also in the habit of coming late for duty. The VVIPs and VIPs are seen waiting for them on many occasions. Many people alleged that even the Civil Surgeon does not reach the office on time and they have to wait for her for a long time.

There are allegations that the doctors prescribe only such medicines which are available with certain chemists. Many doctors have developed links with the owners of private nursing homes as they work there most of the time to mint money. They also reportedly pressurise the visiting patients to visit them in the private nursing homes.

Some specialists are reported to have resigned from government service, resulting in acute shortage of doctors as a result of which the doctor-outpatient ratio is high.

Stray cattle and pigs can be seen in and around the Civil Hospital. The premises have become the grazing ground for milch animals.

Theft of vehicles from the premises of the Civil Hospital has become a common feature. In the general wards, many patients complain about the absence of paramedical and other staff even during the duty hours.

In the outpatient department, people can be seen clutching their slips and waiting for the doctors concerned. In the courtyards and corridors, small groups squat with their few belongings.

The tube lights always remain out of order in the outpatient wards. Most of the doctors in the government hospitals, dispensaries and other health institutions have developed links with the political bosses and ministers. Little wonder, they do not care for public complaints.

The people of the area are very critical of the MLAs and political bosses for their failure in raising their voice against the appalling conditions in the government and private hospitals. They have demanded action against erring doctors and paramedical staff of government hospitals.

Rewari to get test tube baby centre
Our Correspondent

Rewari, October 8
To provide a rare facility to childless couples almost at their doorstep, gynaecologists of the local Lalita Memorial Hospital have decided to set up a test tube baby centre, which would be the first of its kind in South Haryana and the third one in entire Haryana.

It is expected that the Centre would be able to transplant the foetus for its first test tube baby in the womb of the would be mother in the first week of December 2002.

This information was given by Dr Seema Mittal, infertility specialist of the hospital, at a press conference here yesterday. In a synoptic elucidation of the entire procedure, she explained that certain cells of the female ovary along with the male sperms would first be allowed to fertilise in the test tube. Later, when the size of the foetus as well as the number of cells reached a specific limit then the developed foetus would be transplanted into the woman's womb for normal conception.

She further said that though it was an expensive technique yet the possibility of success was rated high. She also said that registration of childless couples for the above purpose would start at the hospital next week.

Earlier, at least 300 childless couples in the age group of 30-40 years from various parts of Haryana, Delhi, Punjab and Rajasthan got themselves registered for diagnostic purposes at a two-day infertility examination camp organised at the hospital here.

As many as 150 such couples were jointly examined yesterday by Dr Bhavin Bala Krishnan, a noted infertility specialist of Mumbai, Dr Sanjay Gupta, a prominent embryologist of Chandigarh and Dr Seema Mittal. 

Drive against cataract gains momentum
Tribune News Service

Faridabad, October 8
The campaign against cataract blindness seems to be on at full swing in the district. With the onset of the main season to check the problem (September to March) almost 40 operations are being done daily here under the aegis of the District Blindness Control Society (DBCS).

While the society has spent over Rs 12 lakh so far in the campaign, the main feature of the drive is that the poorest of the poor is able to get treatment absolutely free.

According to the district eye surgeon, Dr Ravinder Mathur, the DBCS has already held 14 camps since January this year and about 3,500 persons have been operated upon for cataract removal in these camps.

He said at least 40 operations were being done in the Eye Department of the Bhadshah Khan Civil Hospital these days as a camp was in progress. He said at least two to three surgeons were available in the hospital for the purpose.

He said the surgery required no sutures and the patient was discharged the same day, with rehabilitation being possible in just three to four days. 

Dharamshila Hospital gets ISO certification
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 8
The Dharamshila Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (DCHRC), one of the leading cancer treatment centres, has been certified for implementing ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001:1996 standards for its integrated quality and environment management system.

The DCHRC is the first and only cancer hospital of the country to achieve the internationally acknowledged ISO certificate to provide comprehensive cancer care with efficiency and compassion as per the internationally accepted standards of quality, environment care and performance.

The hospital has been awarded the certification after the audit by RWTUV of Germany. Expressing her satisfaction on achieving ISO standards, Dr S. Khanna, Director, DCHRC, said, “We are committed to provide high quality, uniform, consistent, efficient, personalised and compassionate services in an environment, which ensures the operational health and safety of our patient, their attendants and employees. This certification is the testimony of our efforts and reiteration to our continued endeavours towards fighting cancer.”

The standards would mean giving better healthcare experience to everyone by assuring consistent compliance with applicable statutory, regulatory and other requirements. As prescribed under the standards, the processes adopted by the DCHRC would also help in conserving resources, minimising waste generation and its management, including safe disposal. 

SPORTS

Hans Club edge past Youngsters in DSA
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, October 8
Hans Club edged past Youngsters 1-0 in an A Division match of the Delhi Soccer Association (DSA)-SAIL Open Clubs Football League Championship at the Nehru Stadium East ground. Inside-right Ravinder Mohan Bisht scored the all-important goal in the 12th minute.

Royal Club defeated Victory 2-0 at the Nehru Stadium West ground. Ashish Choudhary and Salauddin were the goal-scorers.

Cosmos defeated Golden Stars 3-1. Chandan struck a brace and Anil accounted for the other goal for Cosmos. Khushal scored the consolation goal for Golden Stars.

Ashoka Club were held to a 1-1 draw by Garhwal Diamond. Abdul Saleem put Ashoka ahead in the 23rd minute while Gaurav Puri equalised for Garhwal Diamond.

In a B Division match at the Nehru Stadium East ground, Ahbab Club trounced Uttranchal Heroes 9-1. Pardeep (3), Rajesh Sundriyal (3), Manoj Newa, Devender and Srinivas were the marksmen of Uttranchal. Denzil pulled off a consolation goal for the losers.

Wednesday’s fixtures: Columba’s Club vs Young Boys Association (2 pm)—Ambedkar Stadium. Cosmos vs Ashoka (2 pm); State Bank vs Garhwal Diamond (3.30 pm); Veterans vs Uttranchal Heroes (2 pm); Royal vs Glorious (3.30 pm))— Nehru Stadium East and West grounds.

Kanwar Ashish Inter-DPS Cricket Tournament
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, October 8
Delhi Public School, R K Puram, is organising the Kanwar Ashish Cricket Tournament in the memory of a former student of the school, under the aegis of the Kanwar Ashish Charitable Foundation. The trustees and the organising committee of the tournament include eminent citizens, bureaucrats and faculty members of DPS, including Principal Dr Shyam Chona.

The tournament is an inter-DPS one, and players from DPS Schools in and around Delhi are l participating in it.

The matches are being played at the DPS cricket ground, R K Puram. The tournament is a big draw not only with students of DPS, but also from other schools too. A new event, tiny-tots exhibition match, was held last year, for four-year-olds, which was a big hit with kids.

Prominent sportspersons and officials like Bishan Singh Bedi, Kapil Dev, Gurbachan Singh Randhawa, Maninder Singh, K P S Gill, Uma Bharti and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit have witnessed the Kanwar Ashish Cricket Tournament in the previous years.

DPS, Dwarka beat DPS,Vasant Kunj in the opening match. East of Kailash beat Rohini in the second match. DPS,Vasant Vihar feat DPS International by five wickets in the third match, played on Tuesday. 

IA in semis
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, October 8
Indian Airlines crushed K N Colts by nine wickets and sailed into the semi-final of the N N Mohan Memorial Cricket Tournament at the Mohan Meakins ground in Ghaziabad.

A Arun Kumar and Ravneet Ricky put on 148 runs for the opening wicket to pave the way of an easy victory for Indian Airlines. Arun Kumar, who cracked an unbeaten 145 studded with 13 fours and five sixes, off 120 balls, was adjudged the man of the match.

Scores: K N Colts: 247 for 6 in 45 overs (Tarachand 65, Bharat Dhoopar 48, Sunil Rawat 34, Rajender Jalal 37 n o, Nikhil Chopra 2 for 40, Rajat Bhatia 2 for 54).

Indian Airlines: 251 for 1 in 36 overs (J Arun Kumar 145 n o, Ravneet Rickey 60, 4x4; Reetender Sodhi 30 n o, Ajay Sharma 1 for 45). Wednesday's fixture: Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) vs Indian Air Force (SAIL)--9.30 am.

Sanjay shines

A fine knock of 75 by Sanjay Nagar helped Utkarsh XI beat Abhay Ram Gymkhana by four runs and entered the semi-final of the 12th Shaheed Bhagat Singh Memorial Cricket Tournament at the Hamdard ground.

Scores: Utkarsh XI: 213 for 8 in 35 overs (Sanjay Nagar 75, Rakesh Singh 38, Sanjeev Tomar 3 for 35). A R Gymkhana: 209 all out in 34.5 overs (Udit Sharma 50, Manoj Markar 53, Sanjeev Rana 23, Vikas Vij 2 for 30, Robin Choudhary 2 for 24, Sandeep Rana 2 for 26).

DDA Roller Skating

The Roller Skating School of India will organise the eighth DDA Open Roller Skating Championship at the Maj. Dhyan Chand Sports Complex at Ashok Vihar from October 24 to 26. The events will include artistic skating, speed skating and roller hockey. Entries close on October 23 with Mr Naresh Sharma on phone 3643052,5773749.

Hero Honda nets young cricket stars
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, October 8
Hero Honda has appointed cricket heartthrobs Virender Sehwag, Mohammad Kaif, Yuvraj Singh and Zaheer Khan as its brand ambassadors. The four players will join their captain Saurav Ganguly to form the Hero Honda “Team Ambition”— a team with a lethal performance combination of power, speed, efficiency and style.

Mr Pawan Munjal, managing director of Hero Honda Motors, said, “Indian cricket and Hero Honda have both made the nation proud and helped the world recognise India’s potential. The Team Ambition has many similarities with Hero Honda”.

In their role as brand ambassadors, the “Team Ambition” will soon star in Hero Honda’s new advertisement commercials. The “Team Ambition” would also provide coaching guidance to budding sporting talent in the country and support cricket projects undertaken by Hero Honda in India and abroad. Hero Honda was the official sponsor of the ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka and will be the official sponsor for the ICC World Cup in 2003.

Big win for Vidya Bhawan

New Delhi, October 8
Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan crushed Frank Anthony Public School by an innings and 26 runs in a league match of the sixth Inter-School Under-17 Cricket Tournament at the Gyan Bharti School ground in Saket.

Salwan beat DPS: Salwan Boys School beat Delhi Public School, R K Puram by 97 runs in the third Parle Cup Inter-School Under-17 Cricket Tournament at the Bharat Nagar ground.

Scores: Salwan Boys: 251 for 3 in 40 overs (Gaurav Chabra 102, Gaurav Sharma 66, Shikhar Dhawan 33, Simran Sethi 2 for 23).

DPS: 154 all out in 24.6 overs (Simran Sethi 33, Hemant Chaugh 33, Narender Singh 3 for 19, Gaurav Sharma 3 for 30). In another match, Hansraj Model School beat Mount St. Mary School by two wickets. Scores: Mount St. Mary: 183 for 5 in 40 overs

Hansraj Model School: 184 for 8 in 39 overs

HCL beat Friends: HCL Infosystems Ltd. beat Friends Globe Travels by three runs in the sixth D G Phadkar Memorial Cricket Tournament at the Teri Oval.

Scores: HCL Info: 173 for 8 in 25 overs .

Friends Globe Travels: 170 for 6 in 25 overs. OSR

ITBP Rafting concludes

New Delhi, October 8
The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) White River Rafting expedition was flagged off by Deputy Inspector-General (Ladak) on October 4, and concluded in Ladak on October 7. This River Rafting Expedition was in continuation of the various activities of the ITBP for observing the International Year of Mountains.

The team rafted down and braved the foamy gurgling waters of Hanle and Indus and remained undeterred by adverse conditions of sub-zero temperature of cold desert of Ladakh, coupled with numerous rapids and falls. OSR

CRPF down Kalka School
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, October 8
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Public School, Rohini beat Kalka Public School 1-0 in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Cluster X Senior Football Tournament at the Ganga International School ground. Bhangu Singh scored the match-winner to help the CRPF school enter the quarter-final.

St Marks Public School beat Sanskriti Public School 2-0. Mayur and Sahil scored the goals. Sarvodaya School beat Upras Public School 3-1. Vinay, Anil and Jpsel were the markesmen of the winners. CSKM Public School defeated Tagore International Public School 3-2.

In the junior section, CRPF Public School beat National Victor School 3-1. Parveen, Aashwani and Salim struck the goals for CRPF. St. Marks School beat Kalka Public School 1-0. Sidharth scored the match-winner.