HEALTH

New pathogens causing health scare
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 5
“New pathogens are emerging especially in immuno-compromised patients. SARS and newer types of Hepatitis are pathogens either unheard of or have mutated at genetic level and are causing a global threat”. These views were expressed by Dr Madanlal, Acting Head of Department of Microbiology, Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH), at a continuing medical education (CME) programme on microbiology in the hospital auditorium here today. Microbiologists of national and international repute delivered their lectures on different areas concerning health care.

The CME was inaugurated by Dr S.N.Tiwari, Civil Surgeon, by lighting a lamp. Dr Mary John elaborated on Leptospirosis, which is caused due to bacteria leptospira. Dr Shobha Ram from the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) spoke about the emerging pathogens — multiple drug resistant tuberculosis and vibro cholera.

Dr M.K. Mam, spoke about the emerging trends of microbial flora and antibiograms in surgical site wounds. Dr M.S. Oberoi and Dr Param Pal Sahote, PAU, gave details of emerging food-borne microbial pathogens and microbiological quality in processing food and food grains, respectively. Speaking about the emerging pathogens in hospital infections, Dr Madanlal informed that since most of the patients staying at the hospital had lowered immuno-defence, efforts to keep the hospital environment safe was of utmost important. Dr Urmil Mohan gave a general insight into the emerging pathogens. 

Conference on Interventional Neurology
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 5
“In the USA, every year more than 9 lakh people suffer from stroke (brain attack) and 1.5 lakh die of it. In India, the figure is much higher but the introduction of Intervention Neurology has given a new ray of hope to the patients all over the world.”

This was stated by Dr Shakir Hussain, Neuroradiologist, Department of Neurosurgery, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, at a one-day conference of neurosurgeons of North India hosted by the Department of Neurology of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital in Dumra Auditorium here today. The conference was held on “Latest trends in international neurology”.

Dr Shakir is a pioneer in introducing Interventional Technology in India with over 300 procedures to his credit. Around 30 neurosurgeons got together under one roof to share their views on the subject.

Dr Sandeep Puri, Medical Superintendent, delivered the welcome address.

The aim of the conference was to apprise the neurosurgeons of the advancements in the field so that they could serve ailing humanity in the best possible manner, said Dr Gagandeep Singh, Reader, Department of Neurology, DMCH, and Dr Rajinder Bansal, Lecturer, Department of Neurology.

In his speech, Dr Shakir said though the facility of Interventional Technology was available at very few centers in the country, the treatment was much cheaper as compared to foreign countries.

He said the DMCH had associated itself with him to provide the service to the patients.

He said timely identification played a crucial role in the case of stroke.

The symptoms included weakness of limbs, giddiness, visual impairment in one eye, difficulty in speaking (stammering), disturbance in behaviour, severe headache and unconsciousness. 

10-kg tumour removed
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, April 5
A 10-kg tumour was surgically removed from the abdomen of a 55-year-old male patient at the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital by Dr Jasdeep, Reader, Department of Surgery, and Dr M.L.Gupta, Head of the Department of Surgery.

The doctors said the tumour had grown rapidly in the abdomen within a short span of two months. The tumour, which occupied the entire abdominal cavity, was noticed by the patient two months back. Investigations revealed a fluid-filled space, occupying a lesion in the abdomen. It took the doctors six hours to remove the tumour through surgery as it had originated from the small intestines. Dr Jasdeep said in such cases, a patient needed to be very cautious. 

Family welfare programme closed
K.S. Chawla

Ludhiana, April 5
The management of Dr B.L. Kapoor Memorial Hospital here has closed down the family welfare programme (post partum) following failure of the state government to release the annual grant-in-aid for the past two years.

The family welfare programme of the hospital had been going on for the past 30 years with the help of the Central assistance which was received through the state government.

According to Dr T.S. Cheema, Medical Superintendent of the hospital, there are about 10 staff members under the programme who have not received salaries.

Dr Cheema has been writing to the Central and the state governments for the past many months and the Central Health Ministry conveyed to him that the centre had already sent the sanctioned money to the state government. The hospital was getting about Rs 16 lakh every year for the family welfare programme from the Centre through the state government. The state government, alleged Dr Cheema, had spent the money on some other programmes and the most important and badly needed programme had been put to an end.

Dr Cheema said the programe was a blessing for poor people of the region for the past 30 years as they were getting their MRTPs, tubectomies, immunisation and other minor ailments treated free under the programme. “The winding up of the programme in hospitals has not only belied the expectations of the poor people of Punjab, but also sent waves of frustration and dismay,” he said.

Dr Cheema disclosed that the Centre had transferred the work of family planning to the states and he feared that this would impede work as the states were not ready to finance the programme.

The Christian Medical College and Hospital has also not received the grant-in-aid under the post partum programme from the state government. Dr K. Tayal, Assistant Commissioner (UH) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, wrote to the Principal Secretary, Government of Punjab, Department of Health and Family Welfare, on May 7, 2002, saying that Dr B.L. Kapoor Memorial Hospital and Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, was not getting the grant-in-aid on time as admissible under the post partum programme. He wrote that the matter may be looked into personally and admissible grant released.

Dr T.M. Jaison, Acting Director, CMC and Hospital, said they had also not received the grant so far. But they were not closing the post partum programme. Dr Cheema emphasised that population control was badly needed and if it was not checked the country would soon witness doomsday.

Doctors’ arrest lauded
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 5
The local chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in its executive meeting today passed a resolution appreciating the work done by the Health authorities in catching two doctors red-handed while allegedly performing sex determination of the foetus.

In a statement issued here today, the IMA appreciated the efforts put in by Dr S.N. Tiwari in nabbing the doctors. The IMA expressed its happiness on the fact that the PNDT Act had been applied in its true spirit.

According to the president of the unit, Dr Gursharan Singh, the IMA had also resolved to cooperate with the administration to eradicate the practice.