HEALTH

Experts dwell on heart-related ailments
Tribune News Service

SAS Nagar, September 27
Some of the top cardiologists and anesthetists of the country took part in a medical seminar on “Advances in Medical Care” organised today by Fortis Heart Institute here.

These included Dr Achintya Moulick, Chairman, cardio vascular sciences, Dr G.S. Kalra, Head of Cardiology and senior consultant interventional cardiology, Dr Bishnu P. Panigrahi, Head of Anesthesiology, Dr Rakesh Jaswal, consultant invasive cardiology, and Dr Dhiraj Narula, Diplomate, American Board of Asian Heart Hospital and Breach Candy Hospital, Mumbai. The discussion focussed around the latest and best practices in cardiac care that can be adapted to the benefit of patients.

Speaking about the emerging trends in cardiac surgery in the country, Dr Achintya Moulick, said: “There have been quite a few developments in the field of cardiac care in the country. Highly complex surgeries such as cardiac remodeling (restore), complex heart valve replacements and beating heart bypass surgery are being successfully performed on the patients. Due to these developments, a large number of patients are visiting India for cardiac treatments rather than people here going abroad.”

Dr Dhiraj Narula spoke about the advances made in electro-physiology ablation and pacemakers. He said: “Modern concept of pacing in heart failure, which is the new form of therapy, has come into country over the past one year. This is a major advancement in the treatment of advanced heart failure, which will improve the quality of life of patients who have had severe heart failure.”

The seminar forms part of the initiative by the institute aimed at raising the health standards of the community by creating awareness about healthcare management amongst general public and raising technical awareness of medical fraternity. Under this initiative, over 2,025 doctors and over 50,000 patients have benefited across Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Experts discuss surgical practices
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 27
Complications in surgical practices were discussed at a continuing medical education (CME) programme, being organised at Command Hospital, Chandi Mandir. A large number of surgeons from all over the country are attending the programme, being organised under the aegis of the Medical Council of India.

Stating that today’s patients are much more demanding, Chief of Staff, Western Command, Lieut-Gen P.K. Grover, in his inaugural address, said that patients want access to quality medicare at an affordable price. He called for competence, compassion and continuity to be the guiding factors in medical practice.

In his keynote address, Prof S.K. Sharma, director, PGIMER, Chandigarh, said that the conference would be a good learning experience for surgeons from various fields of specialisation.

On the occasion, the hospital Commandant, Maj-Gen B. Sadanand, inaugurated an exhibition on products and equipment used in surgery.

A presentation on the use of various techniques in plastic surgery for saving injured limbs was given by Dr Rajasabapathy, an eminent plastic surgeon from Coimbatore. His methods for reconstructive micro-surgery had special relevance for the management of battle casualties and in armed forces’ referral centres. He also stressed upon the continuing dialogue between the Army Medical Corps and private medical centres.

SPORTS

Sanam, Alipt emerge champions
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, September 27
Local tennis players romped home with three titles out of the four on the concluding day of the AITA Junior Tour Ranking Talent Series Tennis Tournament played here at the Tennis Stadium, Sector 10. Mr Rajan Kashyap, Chairman, Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association, gave away the prizes.

Sanam K. Singh and Alipt Sandhu bagged titles in the under-18 section in the boys and girls category, respectively, while Navinder Pal Singh clinched the under-14 boys title.

In the girls under-14 final, Navjot Saini of Patiala proved too good for promising Ankita Singh of Chandigarh, who had earlier stunned her rivals with her magnificent performance in the preliminary rounds.

The boys under-14 final played between top ranked Navinder Pal Singh of Chandigarh and seventh seed Shiva Sangwan went on unexpected lines. Shiva extended the first set to a tie-breaker but went on to lose. He dominated the second set and won 6-1. In the third set, Shiva succumbed 2-6 to give away the title to the opponent.

The under-18 boys final played between top seed Sanam Singh and fifth seed Kinshuk Sharma proved to be a thrilling one. Kinshuk, who created a series of upsets earlier in the tournament, played valiantly against his opponent. The first set went to Sanam 6-4. In the second set, Sanam played some brilliant tennis and never let Kinshuk come back. He ultimately went on to win 6-3.

The girls under-18 final between Alipt Sandhu and Patiala eve Navjot Saini also saw some good tennis. Alipt, a student of Bhavan Vidyalya, Sector 27, proved a better player and won 6-4 and 7-5.

Final results: Boys under-18: Sanam K. Singh (Chandigarh) b Kinshuk Sharma (Chandigarh) 6-4, 6-3. Girls under-18: Alipt Sandhu (Chandigarh) b Navjot Saini (Punjab) 6-4, 7-5.

Boys under-14: Navinder Pal Singh (Chandigarh) b Shiva Sangwan (Chandigarh) 7-6(4), 1-6, 6-2. Girls under-14: Navjot Saini (Punjab) b Ankita Singh (Chandigarh) 6-0, 6-1.

New skating rink

Children skate during the inauguration of a new skating rink at St Kabir Public School, Sector 26, Chandigarh, on Saturday.

A new skating rink equipped with latest facilities was inaugurated at St Kabir Public School, Sector 26, Chandigarh, this morning. The inauguration was marked by exhibition matches in roller hockey and basketball amidst the release of balloons. The programme saw the presence of as many as 1,600 schoolchildren and over 100 staff members.

Two senior teachers, Ms Indira Kakkar and Ms Sushma Sethi, were the chief guests. According to Mr J.P. Singh, Principal of the school, they were planning to provide floodlight facility at the rink so that skaters could practice during late evening hours.

Kavita adjudged best athlete

Kavita of CL DAV Senior Public School, Sector 11, Panchkula, was adjudged best athlete in the All-India Mahatma Hansraj Aryan Zonal Athletics Tournament held today in Panchkula. She won gold medals in 200m, 400m and high jump events.

Yoga meet

Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 37, girls bagged the under-17 girls section of the UT Inter-School Yoga Meet here today. Shivalik Public School, Sector 41, came second, while Government Model High School, Sector 26, finished third.

Mental toughness crucial: Sethi
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, September 27
Geet Sethi a name synonymous with cue sport and the man who commands a dominant place in the world of billiards, stressed on the role of mental toughness to excel in this sport. Based in Mumbai, Sethi was on a day’s visit to the city as a chief guest at the Third National Pool Championship.

In a brief interaction Sethi disclosed that it was basically the concentration which could help any player to dizzy heights. His last world billiards title came in 2001. Sethi is keen to play well in the forthcoming World Billiards Championship to be held in Hyderabad from November 17. When asked, if he was eying title for eighth time, Sethi said a lot of youngsters and old timers would be big challenge. In this meet, India being a host, will field top eight players.

At present ranked fifth in the world, Sethi praised the initiative of the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandra Babu Naidu for sanctioning Rs 1 crore for the world billiards meet in AP.

He said the government and the sponsors showing interest, sports was bound to get a boost.

Sethi said pool had tremendous potential and once an Indian player brought laurels to India in a world meet, it would have big impact in terms of its growth in the country.

He appreciated the efforts put in by the Billiards and Snooker Federation of India in keeping intact the interest of its players.

On the frequent participation in all the three cue sport by top players, Sethi admitted that it affected their performance. Instead, they should focus on one event at least for some period of time.

ADMINISTRATION

PGI engineer suspended
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, September 27
Mr R. K. Gupta, working as Hospital Engineer with the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, was today ordered to be placed under suspension, according to highly placed sources in the institute.

The order was reportedly passed by the Union Health Minister who is also the institute President. The sources added that Mr Gupta was working as “Hospital Engineer” even though he was an Assistant Engineer.

Mr Gupta also faces allegations of manipulating a tender and negligence causing financial loss to the institute. Denying the allegations, some members of the hospital insisted that they would not co-operate with the administration because of the action.

Recruitment for admn posts
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 27
In future, all recruitments to the post of Sub Divisional Officer (SDO) in the Engineering Wing of the Administration will be made on an all-India basis.

The UPSC will now also make recruitment for the Chandigarh Administration from a collective pool of engineers. This means all posts of the Administration will also be advertised on an all-India basis.