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March 22, 2003, Chandigarh, India
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‘Avoid heavy use of steroids’ SIDE-EFFECTS
Chandigarh, march 21 A 43-year-old bank employee from Lucknow, recuperating in the male surgical ward after replacement of both his hips, rues the day he took treatment from a ‘vaid’ in Sonepat. “Though he had been suffering from spondylitis for quite some time but it was after taking these supposedly ayurvedic medicines that his condition aggravated and he was bed-ridden,“ says the elder brother of the patient. “Being a double-edged weapon, judicious use of steroids can prove to be life saving while its misuse at the same time can land you in deep trouble,” points out Dr Surjit Singh from the Internal Medicine Department at the PGI. Doctors say that in some patients use of steroids was a must, but its uncontrolled doses given to a patient for prolonged period can be very damaging. Doctors say it is mostly patients suffering from arthritis, asthma and skin problems who come to them after complications due to steroid intake. “Unfortunately symptoms like high blood pressure, diabetes, skin problems, moon-like face and incidental infections like TB become noticeable at a much later stage once the damage is done”, points out Dr Singh. Though it is mostly quacks and unqualified people who make liberal use of steroids so that patients flock to them after word goes around that their medicine gives instant relief. But at times even qualified people have been found to be using steroids in excess. Doctors say that due to the instant relief that steroids provide, at times patients even after knowing about the side effects continue taking the harmful medicines. They stress that it is a must to increase the calcium and vitamin D intake of a person, who has been put on steroids. “Though it is a fact that mostly unqualified people are misusing steroids, with basic health facilities in the region being in a shambles you cannot blame these quacks or even the patients who are seeking such treatment,” admits a senior doctor at the PGI. It is only after the peripheral health services are improved that the health authorities in the region can crack the whip on those practicing quackery.
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Pharmaceutical
workshop opens SAS Nagar, March 21 Mr Kohli said the pharmaceutical industry had received tremendous encouragement with the amendment to the patent law, which was once again going to be amended. He said the country had a vibrant and successful pharmaceutical industry, but there were certain areas where deficiencies existed. Health coverage was inadequate. Only 23 to 24 per cent of the population had access to modern health care. Dr C.L. Kaul, Director, NIPER, said technology formed the backbone of not only the primary process involving the production of various bulk drugs from raw materials and the intermediates but also the secondary processes involving the conversion of the bulk drugs into formulations. The workshop, which is sponsored by the Union Government’s Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, is aimed at sensitising participants to newer technology aspects which can provide a new direction to their business activities. Prof K.K. Bhutani, Dean, NIPER, while presenting the vote of thanks, said 40 registrations had been done for the workshop from industry. He said entry had been restricted to ensure that only resourceful persons benefited from the workshop. |
Total Tennis circuit from March 24 Chandigarh, March 21 The matches will be held in the boys’ section in under 10, 12,14 and under 18 categories. For girls events will be held in under 14 and under 18 categories. Entries close at mobile phone No. 98142-00030. Games postponed:
Football meet:
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Rs 93.76 cr grant for MC Chandigarh, March 21 The Home Ministry has given a rise of Rs 14.1 crore for the non-plan expenditure but has reduced it by Rs 2.38 crore for the planned expenditure that takes care of new developmental projects. The Chandigarh Administration had initially approved a grant of Rs 45 crore for the non-plan expenditure and Rs 28.14 crore for the planned expenditure last year. The increase in the grant-in-aid follows recommendations of the Second Delhi Finance Commission. |
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Now, more sectors to have token paid parking Chandigarh, March 21 The municipal corporation has begun marking yellow lines to allocate a space for each token-holder in Sector 9 and the entire work would be done by the end of the week, Commissioner M.P. Singh told Chandigarh Tribune here today. He said this had been done to make the paid parking lots “people friendly.” The Commissioner said the token system in Sector 17 had succeeded, with a large number of violators of the parking arrangement being challaned by the Chandigarh Police. Joint squads of the police and the municipal corporation had been on the lookout for those who had not cared to park in the slot marked on the token. The marking of yellow lines to create a parking lot for each vehicle as mentioned on the token was started in Madhya Marg, Sector 9, and will be completed within three days. The token system, which had been successfully run years ago, but was discontinued, was reintroduced to ensure that every entrant to the paid parking lots was assured a space. |
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Central
excise collection up Chandigarh, March 21 The Commissionerate has come into being in November 1, 2002, covering Panchkula, Karnal, Kaithal, Kurukshetra and Yamunanagar districts. He said anti-tax evasion measures had resulted in increase in collection of taxes. He said the service tax collection had also increased by over 50 per cent up to January 2003. It had gone up to Rs 12.6 crore, as against Rs 8.51 crore during the corresponding period last year. With the increase in rate of service tax to 8 per cent and inclusion of other services, the revenue was likely to touch Rs 23 crore next year, he said. |
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