HEALTH

Blood donation camps mark Red Cross Day
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 8
World Red Cross Day was organised by the Indian Red Cross Society, Ludhiana, today by holding a blood donation camp in Red Cross Regional Blood Bank. The camp was inaugurated by Dr S.N. Tiwari, Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana.

Ek Koshish, an NGO, organised a blood donation camp with the assistance of the Indian Red Cross Society and Jaycees The aim of Ek Koshish was to dispel the wrong notion that weakness was caused after blood donation.

Dr S.N. Tiwari, Civil Surgeon, said after blood donation, there was renewed energy in the body.

Dr Tiwari further said if a person donated blood after every three months, then blood was replaced soon and no weakness was caused. So people should come forward and donate blood.

To mark World Red Cross Day and International Thalassaemia Day, the Department of Transfusion Medicine and the Department of Paediatrics of the DMCH jointly organised the 4th medicos voluntary blood donation camp at the blood bank today. The camp got an enthusiastic response as more than 200 people, majority comprising doctors, nurses, medical students, interns and paramedical staff of the DMCH, donated blood.

To inspire young medical students, Dr Sandeep Puri, Medical Superintendent DMCH, also donated blood. He said such efforts signified selfless service to humanity and would further motivate the students to become regular donors for the noble cause. People from other walks of life also came forward.

FATEHGARH SAHIB: The District Red Cross Society has helped the needy and the physically challenged earn their livelihood by providing them assistance in cash and kind. This was stated by Mr Vikas Partap, Deputy Commissioner, while presiding over the Red Cross Day celebration function at the District Red Cross Bhavan on Thursday. The function was organised to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sir Henry Dunant, founder of the Red Cross.

Highlighting the achievements of the District Red Cross Society during the previous year, he said a blood bank, a relief house and various hospital welfare schemes had been initiated. The society had also distributed Rs 3 lakh exgratia grant among the needy.

He called upon social, religious and political organisations to encourage people to donate for the Red Cross.

A painting competition was held for schoolchildren on the occasion in which 225 students participated.

Dr Anu Partap, wife of Mr Partap, gave away the prizes.

Dental camp for workers
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 8
A dental care camp for industrial workers was organised by Vardhman Spinning and General Mills Limited in Vardhman Workers’ Colony, Chandigarh Road, here yesterday. The camp was organised in association with Baba Jaswant Singh Dental Hospital and Research Centre, Moti Nagar, Ludhiana.

Mr V.K. Goyal, Chief Executive, Vardhman Spinning and General Mills Ltd, inaugurated the camp. A team of specialist doctors from Baba Jaswant Singh Dental Hospital and Research Centre carried out the dental check-up of the workers and their families through out the day. All medicines and treatments were provided free of cost.

Around 500 workers and their family members availed themselves of the health benefits. Counselling sessions were organised for workers and their spouses creating awareness among them about various dental diseases, food habits, and required dental care.

Lobbying starts for PMC poll
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, May 8
Lobbying has started for the election to the Punjab Medical Council (PMC), to be constituted before May 23. There are five elected members in the council for which elections would be held. While three seats are reserved for doctors with an MBBS and above degree, two have been reserved for the LMS. Nobody is contesting for the two reserved seats of the LMS.

Three leading doctors, Dr Gursharan Singh of Ludhiana, Dr Neeti Rajan and Dr Amrik Singh Bhatia of Amritsar have formed a panel for contesting the election. These three candidates have been nominated by the Ludhiana and Amritsar district units of the Indian Medical Association (IMA). While Dr Gursharan is the Ludhiana district president of the IMA, Dr Rajan and Dr Bhatia are from Medical College, Amritsar.

Sidhu for cricket ties with Pakistan
Our Correspondent

Ahmedgarh, May 8
“We feel like we are in a battle on border when we face Pakistan in a cricket match,” former international cricketer Navjot Sidhu said in reply to a question after a public function at the local branch of the State Bank of Patiala.

Sidhu said promotion of sporting relations at the international level would reduce the threat of war between India and Pakistan.

He said: “Unlike any other religion, sport is a universal religion with disciples all over the world. We feel proud that cricket has the maximum number of fans.”

On India’s decision to suspend cricket ties with Pakistan in view of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, he said: “These are diplomatic decisions, over which, sportsmen have no control and they have to accept these. We believe that cricket can bridge the gap between the two nations.”

The former international cricketer, who has, now, become popular for his unique style of cricket commentary, owes this talent to God and his father’s advice to speak the truth. Meanwhile, the State Bank of Patiala public contact programme here which was presided over by Mr N.S. Deshpandey, DGM, and Mr S.C. Madan, AGM, was the chief guest.

In his address, Mr Deshpandey talked about various schemes for customers and said the SBP was the first bank in India to computerise all its branches. It was the only bank with its headquarters in Panjab.

Navjot Sidhu distributed documents to 51 beneficiaries under the Karamchari Suvidha Yojna. The STDRs worth Rs 41 lakh were given to 101 depositors. Students of the local MGMN Senior Secondary School presented a cultural programme, and Mr V.P. Gupta, senior manager at the grain market branch of the bank presented a vote of thanks on the occasion.