HEALTH

Move on night CT scan to help patients
Pratibha Chauhan
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 29
The usual month-long wait for getting an MRI or CT scan done at the PGI can be shortened as the Radiodiagnosis Department is considering the introducing the night shift for indoor patients, so that more scans can be done with the limited staff and machinery.

"Though we have limited staff we want to reduce the waiting period for patients, some of whom are very poor. So we are considering introducing the night shift to enable more scans and MRIs, for the convenience of the people coming here for treatment," informed Prof Sudha Suri, head of the Radiodiagnosis Department. Modalities were being worked out so that more patients could be accommodated, she added.

Though all emergency scans and MRIs are done round the clock at the PGI, for outdoor patients the waiting period can stretch much longer. One should consider himself lucky if he gets a date within a month for an MRI.

The situation in case of a CT scan is no better as an OPD patient has to wait for at least a week while indoor patients get a scan within two days’ time. "Since we have only two CT scan machines and one MRI, we can understand the inconvenience faced by the patients, but there is little we can do to improve the situation," she admitted.

The department has already written to the Union Health Ministry to give them an additional scanner and a second MRI machine.

Sources at the PGI said money had already been sanctioned for the purchase of a third CT scan machine so this would also help reduce the long waiting. The department at present has two spiral CT scanners, one single and the other multislice, which were installed in November 2001.

The PGI, which had sought Rs 401 crore, was allocated only Rs 200 crore. It had later requested the Health Ministry to grant Rs 60 crore in the mid-term appraisal of the Plan. Expressing helplessness the doctors at the Radiodiagnosis Department say they too feel bad when poor patients plead before them to give them an early date for a CT scan or an MRI.

300 radiologists to attend conference
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 29
Over 300 radiologists from India and abroad will be attending a four-day conference being organised by the Department of Radiodiagnosis at the PGI from October, 31 to discuss the latest advances in the field of Neuroradiology and Interventional Radiology.

The sixth Annual Conference of the Indian Society of Neuroradiology (ISNR) and Indian Society of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (ISVIR) will be inaugurated by the Director General Health Services, Dr S.P. Aggarwal, on October 31.

“Neuroradiologists and intervention radiologists of national and international repute will conduct workshops, lectures, symposia and panel discussions on various topics and the latest advances in the field,” said Prof Sudha Suri, Head of Radiodiagnosis.

She said during the past two decades a lot of progress had been made in the field of radiology. “With the help of these interventions, some of which can be labelled as life saving procedures, surgeries can be avoided and treatment started,” she explained.

Professor Suri, said one of the primary objectives of organising the conference was to create awareness about the latest procedures in radiology and stressed the need for developing super-specialities.

The conference will have seven live cases and demonstrations, apart from interaction and exchange of ideas and experiences with international experts. “Some of the areas which would be discussed at length include aging brains, spine and degenerative diseases, epilepsy and brain disorders,” informed Dr A.N. Khandelwal.

He explained that dementia was a condition characterised by progressively declining memory and intellectual functions due to age, which in the coming years would emerge as a major problem as a large percentage of our population would be in that age group.

Similarly, paediatric neuroradiology was another area which was fast developing as a super-speciality, he added. He regretted that though 4,000 doctors were registered as radiologist, but only 200 of these were practicing neuroradiologists.

Professor Suri, said the Radiodiagnosis Department at the PGI was already undertaking the latest interventional techniques that were available at the international level.

“The only difference is that the number of expensive procedures being done here is very less as cost is an inhibiting factor as very few patients can afford these,” she explained.

PGI complaint against institute
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 29
The PGI has filed a police complaint against a private nursing institute for pasting its pamphlets and advertisements in the hospital, in violation of the West Bengal (Prevention) of Defacement Act, 1995.

"We lodged a complaint after we noticed the advertisements of the nursing institute, yesterday seeking legal action against the persons concerned," said Mr P.C. Sharma, Chief Security Officer, PGI.

Mr Sharma, today filed another complaint with the police, alleging that he was threatened with dire consequences in case he did not withdraw the complaint he made yesterday. "The people concerned came to my office along with a police personnel and threatened me in case I did not withdraw the complaint so, I have sought legal action against them for disturbing me in the office and for misbehaviour," alleged Mr Sharma.

Mr Sharma, said nobody was permitted to paste their advertisements, pamphlets or publicity material inside the PGI, and legal action was taken against all those found to be violating it. "Barring the notices and information regarding diseases put up by the PGI nobody can paste any pamphlets and to prevent this we made a police complaint," he said.

On the other hand the owner of Sunshine Gas Agency, Sector 44, Mrs Ravneet Uppal, who is associated with the nursing project alleged that Mr Sharma, had misbehaved with them when they went to see him in his office at the PGI. “Why are we being singled out when some other institutes have been allowed to put up their advertisements,” she asked.

Mr Sharma, however, denied the allegations, adding that if the case was not registered he would approach senior police officials.

New Medical Supdt of GMCH
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 29
Dr J.K. Das from the National Institute of Health and Family Welfare, Delhi, has been appointed as the new Medical Superintendent of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).

The post of MS had been advertised sometime ago and two persons had been interviewed. Dr Das, will replace Dr Raj Bahadur, head of Orthopaedics at the GMCH, who had been functioning as the MS.

Confirming the appointment, sources in the administration said Dr Das, would soon take over as the MS of GMCH.

Toilets’ privatisation ends up in locks
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 29
Handing over the running and maintenance of the newly refurbished toilets at PGI’s Nehru Hospital to Sulabh International has snowballed into a major controversy amid stiff opposition from employees, forcing the authorities to lock the toilets once again.

The authorities are defending the move, saying that it was essential to hand over the contract to Sulabh International for proper maintenance and cleanliness of toilets.

The newly done-up toilets remained closed even after renovation, complete with tiles and hand driers, as the authorities felt that the expensive fixtures needed to be maintained and protected against theft.

During the past few days these toilets have been opened and closed for public on three occasions as the employees objected when they were asked to pay. It was later that the authorities clarified that employees were not required to pay. Even after this the employees are objecting to the move, saying that majority of the patients coming here were poor, who could not afford to pay.

“The employees have been exempted from paying for using the toilets, provided they produce their identity cards or are in their uniform,” said a PGI spokesperson.

He added that the services of Sulabh International had been engaged so that the toilets could be maintained.

Interestingly, the PGI is consulting the labour officer to sort out the matter and convince the employees not to oppose the move, which was in the interest of the institute. When asked as to when the toilets would be opened, he said the matter was being sorted out.

SPORTS

Badminton tournament qualifying round ends
Tribune News Service

Under-13 singles (third round): Ravikant (Hry) b Swapan (Utr) 21-6, Sameer (MP) b Tushar (Chd) 21-10, Arpit Verma (MP) b Sahil Verma (Pb) 21-13, Deepak Bisht (Utr) b Priyank Sood (Hry) 21-1, Parteek Josh (Utr) b Kartik Singh (MP) 21-2, Ashish (HP) b Vikram (Pb) 21-15, Avnish Vakul b Abhishek Dahiya (Hry) 21-0, Ravi Kant (Hry) b Rytham (Hry) 21-9, Deepak Bisht (Utr) J. Harsh (HP) 21-5 and Aman Sethi (Chd) b Naman Jindal (Hry) 21-6.

Disney, Nadia clinch TT singles titles
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 29
Disney of Panjab University beat Dheeraj Arora of RBI to clinch the men’s singles final in the 16th Chandigarh State Table Tennis Championship here today.

Nadia Saini of DAV Public School, Sector 8, who had claimed two titles yesterday, today went on to claim the women’s singles title, beating Shikha Sharma of AG Audit Haryana in the final, as also the women’s double title.

The following are the results:

Men’s singles (Quarter finals): Harish Kumar (AG, Haryana) b Harpreet Singh (SGGS-26) 11-9, 11-7, 11-7, 5-11, 11-8; Dheeraj Arora (RBI) b Tarun Verma (DAVC-10) 8-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-6, 12-10; Munish Bhardwaj (PU) b Tarun Kinger (SGGS-26) 11-7, 11-1, 11-6, 9-11, 11-3; Disney (PU) b Vikas Sharma (AG, Punjab) 12-10, 8-11, 11-6, 11-9, 9-11, 13-11.

Semifinals: Dheeraj Arora (RBI) b Harish Kumar (CAG Audit, Haryana) 11-7, 11-8, 13-11, 7-11, 11-5; Disney (PU campus) b Menish Bhardwaj (PU campus) 8-11, 6-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-5, 7-11, 11-9.

Final: Disney of (PU) beat Dheeraj Arora of (RBI) by 11-7, 11-6, 8-11, 16-18, 11-4, 11-7.

Women’s singles (Quarter finals): Barkha KC (AG, Punjab) b Mahima Singla (DAVS-8) 11-9, 11-3, 11-7, 11-4; Shikha Sharma (AG, Haryana) b Amarpreet Kaur (MCM-36) 13-11, 11-4, 6-11, 11-8, 11-8; Gurinder Kaur (AG, Punjab) b Arshdeep Kaur (BVB-27) 8-11,11-6, 11-5, 11-5, 7-11, 11-6; Nadia Saini (DAVPS-8) b Taranpreet Kaur (DS-21) 11-7, 11-3, 11-7, 11-7.

Semifinals: Nadia Saini (DAVPS-8) b Gurwinder Kaur (AG Audit, Punjab) 11-8, 6-11, 11-9, 13-15, 11-6, 11-8; Shikha Sharma (AG Audit Haryana) b Barkha KC (AG Audit Panjab) 11-5, 13-11, 11-9, 11-6.

Final: Nadia Saini (DAVPS-8) b Shikha Sharma (AG Audit, Haryana) 5-11, 14-12, 11-5, 11-4, 5-11, 11-5.

Women’s doubles (Final): Nadia Saini (DAVPS-8) and Shikha Sharma (AG Audit, Haryana) b Barkha KC (AG Audit, Punjab) and Gurvinder Kaur (AG Audit, Punjab) by 3-1, 11-5, 10-12, 11-8, 11-3.

Men’s doubles (Final): Dheeraj Arora and Mandeep Singh of RBI Harish Kumar and Tarun Verma 11-9, 7-11, 11-9, 14-12.

Mixed doubles (Final): Harish Kumar and Shikha Sharma b Vikas and Gurwinder Kaur 11-1, 11-8, 10-12, 12-14, 14-12.

Roller skating tourney from October 31
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 29
Promising to be a gala event, the fourth CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) National Roller Skating Championship — 2003 is all set to take off on October 31 at KB DAV Centenary Public School, Sector 7.

Addressing a press conference here today, the Principal, Ms Madhu Bahl, said over 450 skaters from 157 schools affiliated to the CBSE would participate in the four-day championship.

The events include a 300-m rink race 1 and a rink race 2, also called a road race, slated to take place at the Sukhna lake. According to the age group, participants will participate in 1,000m, 2,000m and 3,000m. All events would be conducted as per rules of the Roller Skating Federation of India.

Though the CBSE has not included roller hockey in the championship, the host school will give a demonstration of the same on the concluding day, November 3. The match will be held between the local CBSE team and the Punjab team.

The participants of the championship have been chosen from east, west, north and south zones, where the preliminary rounds were held. The events for the north zone were held in Panipat. Ten students from four local schools, six from the host school, will participate in the championship.

Ms Bahl added that her school would provide boarding , lodging and food to all participants. She further said colour and gaiety would be the highlight of the inaugural ceremony where the Home Secretary, Mr R.S. Gujral, would be the chief guest. The championship would conclude on November 3.

Replying to a question on gradation for skaters, Ms Bahl said she had spoken to the CBSE Chairman and officials of the UT Administration, who had assured her that the matter would be taken up very soon. “We just might have some announcement before the championship gets underway,” she added.

Meanwhile, participants have already started arriving in the city and teams from all zones are expected to be in the city by tomorrow.

Interestingly, the school had also played host to the first CBSE Roller Skating Championship, which saw the participation of 200 skaters from 52 schools.

DAVC win gymnastics title
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 29
DAV College, Chandigarh, today won the team championship in the Panjab University Inter-College Gymnastic Championship for men.

The following are the results:

Team championship: DAV College, Chandigarh (N. Aphaba Singh, Laxman Gurang, Karamvir, Pradeep Kumar, Bhupesh Kohli, Rakesh Sahu) 1, 165.15 points; SGGS College, Chandigarh, (Amar Kumar, Chetan Singh, Davender Sheoran, Suraj Kumar, Anwar, Harpreet Singh) 2, 139.5 points; and PU campus, Chandigarh, (Raj Kumar, Deepak Uniyal, Jaswinder Singh, Virender Dahiya, Amit Shivrain, Narender Singh) 3; 103.4 points.

Individual all round best: Laxman Gurang (DAV, Chandigarh) 1, 39.30 points; N. Aphaba Singh (DAV Chandigarh) 2, 35.60; and Chetan Singh (SGGS Chandigarh) 3, 33.75.

Apprates final: — vaulting horse: Amar Kumar (SGGS) 1, Suraj Kumar (SGGS) 2 and Pradeep Kumar (DAV) 3. Parallel bars: Laxman Gurang (DAV) 1, Amar Kumar (SGGS) 2 and Chetan Singh (SGGS) 3. Horizontal bars: Chetan Singh (SGGS) 1, Laxman Gurang (DAV) 2 and N. Aphaba Singh (DAV) 3. Pommel horse: Laxman Gurang (DAV) 1, N. Aphaba Singh (DAV) 2 and Chetan Singh (SGGS) 3. Roman rings: Bhupesh Kohli (DAV) 1, Laxman Gurang (DAV) 2 and Karamvir (DAV) 3. Floor exercises: Laxman Gurang (DAV) 1, Chetan Singh (SGGS) 2 and N. Aphaba Singh (DAV) 3.

Selection trials

The Sports Department, Chandigarh Administration, will conduct selection trials for the National Sports Festival for Women (group-IV) to be held at Bagalkot (Karnataka) from December 4 to 7.

The details of the trials are: volleyball at the sports complex, Sector 7; kabaddi at the sports complex, Sector 42; and kho-kho at Government Model High School, Sector 42. These will take place on November 1 at 4 p.m.

League cricket

A well-made 78 runs by Gurpreet Sonu off just 40 balls on Wednesday enabled Uttaranchal Cricket Club to beat Mohali Gymkhana by 35 runs in the first League-cum-Knockout Cricket Tournament being organised by Punjab Secretariat here.

Gurpreet Sonu hit four sixes and eight boundaries in just 40 balls before getting out on 78. He was involved in a 128-run partnership for the first wicket with Rajinder (40 runs). Amit Bhardwaj also gave an all round performance (50 runs and 2 for 40).

In reply Mohali Gymkhana was bundled out for 171 runs in 20 overs.

Brief scores — Uttaranchal CC: 206 for 3 in 20 overs (Gurpreet Sonu 78, Amit Bhardwaj 50, Rajinder 40). Mohali Zymkhana: 171 for 9 in 20 overs ( Kamal Walia 53, Jagdish 35, Aman 22, Anil Handa 3 for 20, Ravi 3 for 28, Amit Bhardwaj 2 for 40).

PANCHKULA

Carrom meet
Saupin’s School will organise the third inter-school carrom tournament under the aegis of the Panchkula District Carrom Association from November 8 to 10 at Saupin’s School, Sector 9, Panchkula. Competitions will be held for boy and girl teams championship and singles events. There will be two separate categories — up to class VIII and class IX onwards. Entries will close on November 5. 

Punjab sports fest ends

Chandigarh, October 29
The two-day Sarvhitkari Punjab State Sports Festival concluded today on the premises of Sharda Sarvhitkari Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 40-D, here. TNS

ADMINISTRATION

Admn extends term of tourism panel
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 29
The Chandigarh Administration has renewed the term of the Chandigarh Tourism Advisory Committee for a further period of one year to promote tourism in the region. The committee under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Tourism, will consist of Deputy Commissioner, Chandigarh, Superintendent of Police (City), Chandigarh, Managing Director, CITCO, Director Tourism, Chandigarh, Chief General Manager, CITCO, Director Tourism, Punjab, Director Tourism, Haryana, General Manager Telephones, Chandigarh, Deputy General Manager (T), CITCO, Director Tourism, Himachal Pradesh, Tourist Officer, Chandigarh, Assistant Director Tourism, U.T. Chandigarh, Officer representing Indian Airlines, Chandigarh, Station Master, Chandigarh Railway Station, Col. H.S.Sandhu, President of Honour, Hotel Association of Chandigarh, Mr B.B.Behl, President, Hotel Association of Chandigarh, Mr Manmohan Singh, President Hotel and Restaurant Association of Chandigarh, Mr Ashok Bansal, General Secretary, Hotel Association of Chandigarh, Mr H.S. Bajaj, Bajaj Travels, Sector 17, Chandigarh and Mr Anoop Singh, Pack Travels, Sector 17, Chandigarh.

Land for social bodies on free-hold basis

Chandigarh, October 29
In an important decision, the Chandigarh Administration today decided that in future, all allotments of land to religious, social, cultural bodies, trusts, societies, government departments, boards, corporations and public sector undertakings would be made on a free-hold basis.

In the past few years, various organisations have been demanding that land be allotted on the free-hold basis as payment of lease money on an annual basis resulted in hassles for the managing committee. The committee had to maintain records and accounts, resulting in overheads for social organisations. TNS