HEALTH

Command hospital now offers better facilities
Tribune News Service

Chandi Mandir, January 1
Things are changing at the Command hospital here for good. Medical facilities for the serving and retired defence officers and personnel are not only being finetuned to bring them at world class standards, the Commandant, Major-Gen B. Sadananda, is bringing about a qualitative change in the way services are provided.

It is like making an attitudinal change at the 630-bedded hospital, which caters to the needs of serving and retired defence personnel and their families. Maj-Gen Sadananda, while talking to mediapersons on the 239th anniversary of the Army Medical Corps (AMC), said today this was part of the quality assurance in providing medical services.

Cutting down on various procedures he has brought about a single entry system for getting check up done in the Out Patients Department (OPD). Under new procedures adopted a few months ago a patient does not need to get separate registrations done for blood tests, X-rays or for any other special investigation.

The same is true for appointments dealing with CT scans. The idea is to reduce the number of visits a patient has to make for getting a check up and follow up done. Giving an example he said earlier a patient coming for an X-ray or a CT scan had to take an appointment. This had been done away with as earlier a patient used to spend several hours in the OPD. Completion of investigations and collection of medicine used to involve tedious procedures.

Under the aim of providing satisfaction, a number of changes have been introduced in the patient care delivery system. A strategic approach of ‘‘changing the work culture’’ has been adopted. This include ensuring staff availability by fulfilling the needs of people who provide services. Under the old system each ward used to send its ward boys to fetch men things like linen, medicines and other items. Now there is a door-to-door delivery system in place, which means all items for in-patients are deposited in the ward by a team of men.

The quality of patient care has also been improved by modernising the bio-medical equipments and regularly updating the clinical knowledge of all categories of staff in the hospital. Sophisticated services like provisioning of a CT scan centre, lithotripsy centre for treatment of kidney stones, artificial limb sub-centre, holter monitor for patients suffering from heart diseases, a microscope for neurological operations, ex-servicemen helpline and many other services have been added to the existing list during this year.

The procedure for collection of samples for investigations and delivery of reports, drug dispensing through a single window system have been scientifically streamlined to achieve the desired standard quality.

Besides this General Sadananda said a good number of ex-servicemen and their families were being treated here. He dispelled all fears that there were different rules prevailing for ex-servicemen. Giving figures he said of a total of 18,514 in-patients treated, 2,076 were ex-servicemen and another 1,106 were their family members.

300 examined at medical camp
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 1
Over 300 patients were examined by a team of doctors at a free medical camp organised by the Lions Club Chandigarh Vishal here today. The free medical, blood sugar testing and awareness camp, inaugurated by Mr D.S. Kohli, was held in Sector 45-C. A team of doctors led by Dr K.P. Singh from the Fortis Heart Institute examined the patients and provided them with free medicines. Over 200 free blood tests were conducted by Capital Clinic Lab and Hormone Centre. The Lions Club Chandigarh Vishal donated a refrigerator to Theatre Age Ashiana, a social organisation, working with slum children. 

Health mela
Tribune News Service

SAS Nagar, January 1
The local branch of the Family Planning Association of India organised a health mela as part of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and Japan Trust Fund for HIV/AIDS-sponsored project for truckers here yesterday.

The mela was held in collaboration with the office of the Ropar Civil Surgeon at Gurdwara Solkhian on National Highway No. 21. The mela was inaugurated by Dr Rana Harinder, Civil Surgeon. The mukh sewadar of the gurdwara emphasised the need for preventing HIV/AIDS and related problems by following the teachings of the gurbani.

Dr Surjit Sandhu, president of the SAS Nagar branch of FPAI, urged the audience to practise what was being taught at religious places.

SPORTS

PU judokas excel with two gold
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, January 1
Judokas of Panjab University, Chandigarh, won two gold, six silver and four bronze medals in the just concluded All-India Inter University Judo championship here on the university campus. In the women section, Jyotsna won a gold medal while Najru Nisha, Deepika, Aarti Sharma and Gurpreet Kaur got silver medals. Jagjit Kaur, Priyanka Chaudhary and Aarti won bronze medals. In the men section, Sanjay Negi won a gold medal while Chandersekhar and Deepinder Gill won silver medals. Vipan Kumar won the bronze medal.

Badminton Association: The Chandigarh Badminton Association will hold its annual general meeting and election of the office-bearers for the remaining term in April this year. The CBA will also hold the Chandigarh State Badminton championship at newly renovated Sector 42 Indoor hall from January 12 to 15 in all age groups, including veterans.

Cricket Trials: The selection trials for UT schools cricket under 14 boys and under 19, both boys and girls, teams will be held on January 3. The trials for under 14 boys will be held at Cricket Stadium, Sector 16, for under 19 boys at DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, while for under 19 girls at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 35. The selected teams will participate in the 48th National School Games to be held at Vijayawada (AP) from January 10.

Karate Pitamah: Karate originated in India, but was followed and modified by Japanese. But many people mistook it to be a Japanese sport. These were the views of Dr Renshi S. Renthem, Technical chairman, Sports Karate Federation of India. He was in the city for the National Sub-Junior karate championship held at Skating Rink, Sector 10. Conferred with the ‘Karate Pitamah’ award recently by the Sports Authority Of India, Dr Renshi is also the in charge of coaching guidance for karate in several South Asian countries, including India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. At 54, Dr Renshi has now more than 35 years of experience in karate. Dr Renshi praised the efforts made by Mr Ravinder Talwar, President, Sports Karate Federation of India, and his team in promoting the sport in the country.

Wrestling meet: Gurudayal Singh, an employee of Ordnance Factory, Chandigarh, has secured first position in the All-India Wrestling Tournament-2002 organised by the Ordnance Factory Sports Club under the aegis of the Ordnance Factories Sports Control Board in Muradnagar, Uttar Pardesh. While talking about his achievements, Mr Gurudayal Singh, said he had secured the first position for the 15th time in similar competitions organised by the Ordnance Factory in different states. Gurudyal is a regular trainee at the Wrestling Coaching Centre, Sector 30. 

Jail authorities asked to arrange for education of women inmates
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, January 1
With a view to provide proper education to women prisoners lodged in the Model Burail Jail, the Adviser to the UT Administration, Ms Neeru Nanda, today directed the jail authorities to make appropriate arrangement of teachers and other facilities required for them. Stressing upon the need to take care of children, who were lodged in jail along with their mothers, Ms Nanda also directed jail authorities to provide special food, toys and education to these children.

It is learnt that as many as 470 inmates, including 25 female prisoners, are presently lodged in the jail. Out of 25 females — six have been convicted on charges of murder, while others are accused of attempt to murder, theft cases and economic offences. These women are lodged in a special ward comprising one hall room and three barracks.

Giving details, the Superintendent of the jail, Mr D.S. Rana, told Chandigarh Tribune that he had met the Adviser and explained her the development work being carried out by for the jail inmates.

Mr Rana further said that Ms Nanda has shown special concern for children who were lodged in jail along with their mothers and also sent flowers for them to wish them a happy new year. Ms Nanda has also directed the UT DPI to help the jail authorities to make suitable arrangement to impart education to women inmates and children, he added.

Mr D.S. Rana further informed that at present four children below the four years of age were lodged in the jail. He said the jail authorities have been following the recommendations of the national commission to improve the quality of life for jail inmates and doing their best to make them better citizens of society.

Talking about the rehabilitation programme, Mr Rana further said, “There is need for the rehabilitation and re-integration of women in society after their release. Therefore jail authorities have been seeking help of the voluntary organisations, which can play an important role”. 

Private firm starts octroi collection
Tribune News Service

SAS Nagar, January 1
A private octroi contractor started work in the township here today. The firm, Amandeep and Ved Prakash Private Limited, deployed its men at the 11 octroi posts along with the staff of the Municipal Council.

According to information, the company will be giving day-to-day information about the collections to the office. Sources said that today the contractor's employees detained some people who were trying to get away without paying octroi but were let to go with a warning.

Recording a landmark hike of approximately 20 per cent in its annual income, the Municipal Council had on December 16 handed over its octroi collection contract to a local firm for 2003.

ADC is SDM also
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 1
Making a minor administrative reshuffle, the Chandigarh Administration gave the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mr I.S. Sandhu, the charge of Subdivisional Magistrate (Central) to replace Mr Prithi Chand who has been repatriated to his parent cadre of Punjab. The work of SDM will be conducted by Mr Sandhu in addition to his existing duties.

He will also be Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Joint Chief Electoral Officer and Additional Inspector-General of Prisons.

However, some of his work has been handed over to Mr Gurdip Singh on his joining Chandigarh. He will be working as Managing Director, Chandigarh Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes and Minorities Financial and Development Corporation, Managing Director, Child and Women Development Corporation and Director, Social Welfare, Chandigarh Administration.