The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

HEALTH

PCMS to oppose privatisation
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 25
The Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS) Association will strongly oppose privatisation of state health services, which has been initiated with the decision to hand-over 155 government hospitals in the hands of private entrepreneurs and by raising ban on practice of government doctors to the private market after abolishing ‘Non-Practicing Allowance’. PCMSA will also decide the line of action to oppose this move in the extended body meeting of state executive of the association on July 27 at ESI hospital here.

Dr Hardeep Singh, president of the state unit of PCMS, while strongly condemning the privatisation of state health services here today said that the move of raising ban on Private Practice of doctors after abolishing NPA as well as decision to handover 155 hospitals to the private entrepreneurs were the steps to privatise the present state health services. Under the excuse of financial crunch in the state, the government was on the way to shred its responsibility of providing free healthcare to the downtrodden section of society, who is unable to bear huge expenditure of private hospitals.

Dr Hardeep stressed that the role of state health services in achieving health goals in the prevention of diseases was going to be totally ignored. The role of public hospital was to serve all the needy, giving free of cost services to many weaker sections and employees, with meager budgetary funds, while the private sector worked to collect huge profits from the patients. He stressed, “The major aim of public health care delivery system, ‘Health for All’ is totally kept aside and the giant of privatisation is allowed to generate profit from the pockets of ailing masses in the government health institutions”.

Medical science rescues young girl

Ludhiana, July 25
She was born with a hole in the heart (patent ductus arteriorsus). Any excitement or extreme physical activity was barred, denying her small pleasures of childhood. Also fear of infection in the heart and lung complications loomed large.

When the girl came of age, her Jagraon-based family grew worried for her marriage — child bearing could be threat to her life while a scar on the chest would stigmatise her. Medical science, however, came to her rescue. She came to Dr Chetan Sharma at Sigma Heart Institute here, who, using the latest technique, closed the hole without any scar.

Holes in the heart are found in one per cent of the population. These may be arterial septal defects, ventricular septal defects and patent ductus arteriosus. Initially, these defects used to be closed by a surgical procedure causing a scar but with advances in interventional cardiology, non-surgical closure of these defects have become a viable option.

Patent ductus arteriosus is found in one in 3,000 live births. Non-surgical closure of these defects was earlier done by conical plugs, umbrella devices and coils, which had their own risks.

Recent advancement in this field is development of PDA which is the safest way to plug the hole claims Dr Sharma.

Rani was admitted to Sigma Institute and after evaluation was found to have a large (7.5mm) PDA. Dr Sharma and his cardiac team, including Dr K.C. Mukherjee and Dr Bhupinder Singh, performed a successful procedure causing complete occlusion of the hole using the PDA occluder device inserted through a small nick in the groin. Rani can now lead a normal life without any scar, stigma or disability.

SPORTS

Ludhiana, Hoshiarpur lads to clash in soccer final
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, July 25
Hosts Ludhiana and current champions Hoshiarpur registered wins over Nawanshahr and Kapurthala, respectively, to settle for the title clash in the 16th Punjab State Sub-Junior (u-16) Football Championship being played at Punjab Agricultural University grounds here today.

In the semi-finals, Ludhiana lads faced no challenge from Nawanshahr players whom they blanked 3-0, while the defending champions Hoshiarpur quelled a strong challenge from last year’s losing finalists, Kapurthala, before emerging winners 1-0.

The match between Ludhiana and Nawanshahr began on a fast pace with both teams trying to establish their supremacy. In the 17th minute, Gursharan Singh put Ludhiana into the lead while left out Dalvinder Singh struck in the 49th and 73rd minute to help his team win a 3-0 verdict.

In the second semi-final, holders Hoshiarpur overcame a spirited challenge put up by Kapurthala 1-0. The all-important goal was scored by Iqbal Singh in the 72nd minute

The final between Ludhiana and Hoshiarpur will be played tomorrow at 4.30 pm.

World kabaddi tourney from Aug 10
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, July 25
Eight teams comprising Punjabi players drawn from different countries will take part in this year’s World Cup Kabaddi Tournament slated to be held at Hamilton in Canada on August 10.

Talking to this correspondent today over phone from Canada, Mr Beant Singh Dhaliwal, spokesman for the organising club, the Desh Bhagat Sports Club, said that this tournament being conducted by the club in association with various others kabaddi clubs would be dedicated to the memory of great martyr Bhagat Singh.

The winners in this meet will be awarded a cash prize of $11,000 along with a trophy, while the runners up will receive a cash prize of $8,000. Apart from India and Pakistan, teams from England, America, Germany, Canada are expected to participate in the tournament.