HEALTH

4 more measles cases reported
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 18
Four fresh cases of measles were reported from the mandi on the Pakhowal Road taking the total to 25. Three of them have been admitted to the Civil Hospital here. Dr A.S. Chawla, District Epidemiologist, while giving details said all new reported cases were children in the age group of one to three years. “The condition of all patients is stable and the team of doctors is keeping a vigil in the area. Almost 200 children have been vaccinated by now. People in the area are not ready to visit doctors or hospitals as they believe that the patient would be alright within two or three days”, said Dr Chawla.

Dr Subhash Batta, attending doctor of the measles-affected children at Civil Hospital, when contacted, said, “The condition of all the three patients is absolutely fine. The parents of two children wanted to take their wards to home, but we have advised them to let them be in the hospital for at least one or two days more”.

Though, the residents have been provided with the medicines, including the cough syrups and antibiotics, they are reluctant to take them. The mother of a measles-affected child said: “I have scattered the branches and leaves of neem all around, let her heal on her own. The medicines could not do much in this”.

Meanwhile, the jhuggi dwellers have been educated regularly by the health officials to take necessary precautions. The residents near the slum area have complained that the affected children were not taking any precautions and were roaming in the area all the time, thus posing a threat to others also.

‘0.5 pc Indians epileptic’
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 18
An epilepsy camp was organised by the Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) at Rauwal village in Jagraon tehsil here yesterday. Nearly 120 epileptic patients hailing from 14 villages around Rauwal were given medical advice and medicines free of cost.

A cultural programme spreading awareness about the stigma attached to epilepsy was also presented by students of College of Nursing. Educative posters were also displayed on epilepsy, its causes and misconceptions. An interactive session was conducted in this regard.

Dr Jeyraj Pandian, Neurologist, CMCH, said 0.5 per cent of the total Indian population suffered from epilepsy. The main cause of epilepsy in India was tapeworm infestation or birth trauma, he said, adding that both causes were preventable. An epileptic patient required good medical support and he could lead perfectly normal life, the doctor said.

Dr John Pramod added that misconceptions regarding epilepsy were strong among villagers. In this era of advance medical technology and better understanding of human physiology, rural people still visited “tantriks” for getting treated for epilepsy. 

1.2 million infants die every year
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 18
The National Neonatology Forum (NNF) India is observing the Newborn Week from November 15-21 all over the country. The forum, was set up in 1981 when a group of paediatricians assembled at a conference of Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) in Bangalore.

Nearly 26 million children are born every year in the country of whom 1.2 million newborns die. It constitutes about 30 per cent of total newborn deaths in the world. “In Kerala, the mortality rate is 11 per thousand live births while in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, it is over 50,” said Dr B.K. Jain, Professor of Paediatrics, DMCH, and president of the Punjab chapter of the forum.

Dr B.K. Jain, along with Dr Harmesh S. Bains and Dr Puneet A. Pooni, Consultants in Department of Paediatrics, DMCH, will deliver talks at Kotkapura, Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur to Paediatricians and obstetricians during the week.

Homoeopaths hail council decision
Our Correspondent

Khanna, November 18
The Indian Institute of Homoeopathic Physicians, Punjab (I I H P), has welcomed the decision of the Council of Homoeopathic system of Medicine, Punjab, by which the council has agreed to the demand of the I I H P Punjab, to extend the date of renewal of registration of homoeopathic practitioners till December 7,2003, without late fees.

Dr Avtar Singh Aneta and Dr Rajesh Rattan, president and secretary of the institute, respectively, have requested the homoeopathic practitioners who had not renewed their registration or have not yet filed an appeal for renewal of their registration to do the same up to December 7 by sending a fee of Rs 500+50. Application forms can be obtained from the office of the Council. 

SPORTS

City student shines in horse show
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, November 18
Simrandeep Singh Tiwana, a civil engineering student at Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College here, is influenced by horses. He participated in the National Shivalik Horse Show held from November 12 to 16 at Railway TA Grounds, Chandigarh.

This horse show was held under the aegis of the Equestrian Federation of India. The show comprised 325 horses. Several riders preparing for the next Olympics were also present there for participation in various events.

Simrandeep won the gold medal in the Junior Hack event, in which the best rider is judged by his perfection and coordination with his horse. He started horse riding since he was in class VI. He started participating in National events from 1998. During the Punjab Horse Show held at Jalandhar, he won a bronze medal in the junior category.

He also participated in the Republic Day Camp and Horse Show in New Delhi in 1998 and also took part in the Prime Minister’s parade rally. Later, he participated at the golden jubilee function of Vajra Corps in 2000.

He took first lessons from his grandfather Ramkishan Singh Tiwana, who was himself a good horse rider and fond of keeping horses. However, he attributes his success to his father, Dr M.S. Tiwana, Dean, College of Agriculture, Punjab Agricultural University, his Commanding Officer, Major A.K. Puri and Subedar Tej Pal Singh. 

Guru Nanak College win kabaddi title
Our Correspondent

Samrala, November 18
Guru Nanak College, Moga, won the Panjab University Inter-Zonal Kabaddi (national style) Championship which concluded at the stadium of Malwa College, Bondli-Samrala, today. Malwa College, Bondli-Samrala, secured the runners-up position in the championship. Malwa College trounced S.D. College, Hariana, by a margin of 27 points, whereas Guru Nanak College, Moga, defeated Khalsa College, Gurusar Sudhar, and Malwa College, Bondli-Samrala, respectively, in the league matches. GGSD College, Hariana, captured the third position in the league matches after defeating Khalsa College, Gurusar Sudhar. Malwa College, Bondli-Samrala also defeated Khalsa College, Sudhar, by a margin of 28 points.

On the concluding day, medals were awarded to the winning teams jointly by Mr Kewal Singh, Director Sports, Panjab University, Chandigarh, Dr Parminder Singh, of ficiating Principal, and Mr Jasvir Singh, Principal, Guru Nanak College, Moga.