HEALTH

Dusty weather aggravates asthma
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 3
Dust haze in the region for over 24 hours has not only disrupted life but is also aggravating the condition of asthmatic patients. Medical experts have warned them to step-up their treatment, until the dust settles down. According to survey reports, up to 15 per cent of Ludhiana’s population is suffering from asthma and the wind, accompanied with particles of wheat stubble ash, had worsened the situation.

Dr P.K. Dandona, Professor of medicine and pulmonary diseases, Christian Medical College and Hospital, said dust was a major irritant to asthmatic patients. “The patients suffering from asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are getting repeated attacks. Rain is needed as suspended dust particles have increased in the air. The patients should always carry inhalers as the best precaution”, he said.

Dr Sandeep Puri, Medical Superintendent of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, said dust particles had aggravated the problem. "Chances of attacks of chronic bronchitis and asthma have increased. Patients should be very particular about their medicines. They should try to avoid facing dust particles. Ears, eyes and nose should be covered to avoid allergies”, he added.

Dr Dandona stressed that the factors aggravating asthma were industrial pollution, smoke caused by the burning of husk in fields and pollen, besides automobile exhaust and dusty wind.

Dr Puri said the patients should recognise signs of worsening asthma such as cough, chest tightness, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, and disturbed sleep to avoid complications.

Ayurveda—victim of official apathy
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 3
Ayurveda hospitals and dispensaries in the district need a stringent vigil by the authorities concerned for survival. Lack of infrastructure, lapse of grants, dilapidated buildings, callous attitude of the practitioners and apathetic attitude of the authorities have brought the Unani system of medicine a bad name.

In a recent development, the District Additional Sessions Judge, Mr Inderjit Kaushik, has convicted Satpal, District Ayurvedic Officer to undergo imprisonment for two years and to pay a fine of Rs 1,000. The accused had demanded a bribe of Rs 12,000 from Dr Harsimran Kaur who was posted as Ayurvedic Medical Officer at Bakhlam village under Section 7,12 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

It may be mentioned that the said officer had earlier also been charge-sheeted for remaining absent from duty but no departmental action was taken against him, rather he enjoyed the privilege to remain in his home town for several months.

When contacted, Dr Kirpal Kaur, Deputy Director, Ayurveda, Chandigarh, said the department had not received the copy of the court’s order. “We will take the action accordingly after getting the copy of the court order”, she said.

Sources in the department revealed that “inspections” by the higher officials in various districts were nothing but an eye-wash. The higher officials had recently inspected Haripura, Partappura, Mehsampur, Lasara, Phillaur and Birbansian dispensaries and most of the doctors were found absent from duties, still no action has been taken so far. “One of the dispensaries was locked till 11 o’clock and the department people had put another lock on the dispensary which was opened the next day”, said one of the department official. Dr Kirpal Kaur, however, said the department would take action against those found guilty.

Most of these dispensaries are housed in non-government buildings and are situated in non-discript locations. The doctors alleged that patients had lost faith in the system as the department had failed to provide proper infrastructure, adequate medicines in the dispensaries. One of the doctors, on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the lone hospital in Model Gram had never received an indoor patient till date. “This is the newly built 10-bedded hospital and not even a single patient has been admitted here so far. The hospital has not been provided with adequate medicines from the directorate due to shortage of funds. Approximately Rs 50,000 are spent on the salaries of staff in the hospital but medicines are not available for even common ailments”, said the doctor.

Convincing wins for GNE
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, May 3
Guru Nanak Engineering College ‘A’ IET, Bhaddal, scored convincing victories in basketball in the two-day Golden Jubilee M.S. Gill Memorial Invitation Tournament on the Guru Nanak Engineering College campus here today. Hosts GNE College drubbed Thapar TIET, Patiala, 68-21, while Bhaddal boys trounced Lala Lajpat Rai College, Moga, 42-29. In another match, GNE College ‘B’ routed PCTE, Bhaddal, 42-21. Eight teams are taking part in basketball.

In hockey, six teams are participating. In the first match, GNE College ‘A’ blanked Thapar TIET, Patiala, 6-0. Gurneet scored three goals, while Harpreet and Harpal struck twice and once, respectively.

GNE College ‘B’ beat IET, Bhaddal, 2-1. Amrinder Singh and Gagan Singh found the target for the winners, while Saurabh reduced the margin for Bhaddal. In the third match, GNE College ‘A’ got the better of GNE College ‘B’ whom they defeated 5-2. For the winners, Sukhwiner Singh scored a brace, while Amrinder Singh, Harjeet Singh and Gurneet Singh scored apiece each. For GNE ‘B’, Surinder Pal scored both the goals.

Earlier, Col Dr D.S. Grewal, Principal of Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, inaugurated the tournament. Prof Kanwaljeet Singh welcomed the guests and participants.

Cricket match: The Rotract Club, Ludhiana Central will organise a day-night cricket tournament ‘Challenge-2003’ from May 9 to 11 at Main Play Ground, MIG Flats, Rishi Nagar, Haibowal Khurd, Ludhiana.

The winning team will get Rs 3,100 in cash and the runner up Rs 1,500 in cash. Special prizes will also be given to the best bowler, best batsman, best catcher, Man of the Match and Man of the Series. Mrs Rajatdeep Kaur will preside over the function. Pappi Gill, singer, will also be present.