HEALTH

Autistic children win medals
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 23
Autism is a developmental disorder which is difficult to diagnose. Considering the increasing need of awareness regarding autism, Ek Prayas organised a workshop on the school campus at 5, Green Enclave, new octroi post, Ferozepore road here, yesterday.

Mrs N. Manan Principal of the school, welcomed the chief guest, Dr Kuldeep Chander, guest speakers and parents and teachers. She said Ek Prayas had been organising seminars and workshops for reorientation of teachers and parents to create social awareness.

Dr Navkiran K. Mahajan, lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry, DMCH, Mrs Maninder Kaur, joint secretary, Ek Prayas, Dr B.P. Mishra, Reader in the Department of Psychiatry, DMCH, and Mr Brijesh, coordinator, Ek Prayas, were the speakers. Dr Mahajan spoke about the diagnosis of autism and its medical aspects. He also spoke about how important it was for the parents and professionals to train autistic children addng that for this early diagnosis was important.

Mr Brijesh dwelt on the training methods and the points to be considered while training autistic children. Stress was laid on a positive approach. Communication with such children ought to be encouraged especially by using visual clues. Dr Mishra stressed on the parents’ involvement in the training of such children. Later Mrs Maninder Kaur addressed the parents about legal guardianship and its importance for these differently abled children. There was a lively question-answer session afterwards. Mr Ashok Arora and Mrs Asha Arora were also present during the workshop.

Seven students of Ek Prayas had won seven medals (one gold, five silver and one bronze) in various events at Special Olympics ( Punjab chapter ) held at Faridkot on November 15 and 16, 2003. Medals were given to Surbhi , Gagan, Sukhjeet Shanky, Gurleen, Kapil and Happy. Ms Samira Bector, president of Ek Prayas, thanked the chief guest. 

3-year-old operated upon for hole in heart
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 23
“Thank God, I did not travel to Bangalore for the treatment of my three-year-old grandson”, said Mr Hardev Singh, grandfather of Gurbhej. The child, belong to Rampura Phul in Bathinda district, had blue lips, and hand nails and was prone to recurrent fever, cough and chest infection. He was not growing like other children of his age till one day, the family physician detected a hole in his heart.

Gurbhej was operated upon by Dr Harinder Singh Bedi of Sigma Newlife Heart Institute here and was healthy after surgery. Dr Bedi had performed at least 6,000 open heart surgeries prior to this.

Dr Bedi said a hole in the heart could close on its own between 6 months and one year of age. At times, the damage could be so severe that the disease could become untreatable, he added. Mixing of impure and pure blood led to cyanosis or blue baby and surgery was the only option, emphasised Dr Bedi.