HEALTH

CM to open conference on endoscopic surgery
Shivani Bhakoo

Ludhiana, February 9
The three-day-long National Conference of Endoscopic Surgery organised by the Indian Association of Gastrointestinal Endo-Surgeons (IAGES 2004) in association with Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh here on February 19, 2004. The conference will be the largest meet of Laproscopic surgeons ever held in the country in which more than 1000 delegates from all over the world would participate.

Giving details about the event, Dr Kuldip Singh, Professor of Surgery, DMCH, Secretary of the Indian Association of Laproscopic Surgeons of India and organising secretary of the conference said this International meet would be attended by 25 International faculties. Renowned Indian surgeons would present their work through live demonstrations of keyhole surgery.

Dr Kuldip Singh said, “In the past 14 years, India has become a place where a large number of laproscopic surgeries are performed and the work is being recognised all over the world. The method, which has brought down the miseries of millions of patients, was developed by a French surgeon, Dr Philippe Mouret. It means no big cuts, no pain, short stay in hospital and early discharge, less complications at less cost”.

Dr Kuldip Singh and Dr Mohan Gupta, coordinators of IAGES-2004, said the president of International Federation of Laproscopic Surgery, Prof. Dr Jaques Perissat, president of an European Association of Laproscopic Surgeons, Sir Alfred Cushchieri, president of the Asian Federation of Laproscopic Surgery, Dr Jasmi Yakub, and Prof Yama Kawa from Japan would be the star attractions.

Other eminent international surgeons — experts in the fields will be Dr Philippe Mouret, who performed the first laproscopic gall bladder surgery in the world, Dr T.E. Udwadia, Prof Peter Goh, Dr Zoltan Szabo from the USA, Dr Luc Lemens from Belgium, Dr Russel Stitz, Dr Michael Lie from Hong Kong, Prof Mac Mohan from the UK, Dr Abe Fingerhut from France, Dr Mangeshikar and Dr Prakash Trivedi from Mumbai.

On the first day of the conference on February 19, a live demonstration by international experts of the difficult and challenging operations would be done at DMCH. On the following day international experts would present lectures. On the concluding day, 200 laproscopic surgeons from India would present their work.

Health scheme for pregnant women launched
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 9
With a view to providing quality medical services to pregnant women, a special scheme, “Vande Mataram”, was launched in the district at a function organised at Government Elementary School Nandpur, Shanewal, about 15 km from here, today. Mr Anurag Verma, Deputy Commissioner, inaugurated the scheme and presided over the function.

Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner said the scheme had been launched in the country to bring down the maternal mortality rate to below 200 for every one lakh women by 2007. He informed that at present the maternal mortality rate in the country was 407 for every one lakh women, where as in poor countries like Sri Lanka it was just 60 per one lakh women.

Mr Verma informed that the major causes of maternal mortality were ante and post-partum haemorrhage, anaemia, obstructed labour, hypertensive disorders, post-partum sepsis, unsafe abortions and quick repeated pregnancies. Deaths due to anaemia, obstructed labour, hypertensive disorders and sepsis were preventable with provision of adequate antenatal care, referral and timely treatment of complications of pregnancy. As per a survey report, around 33 per cent pregnant women did not avail of even a single antenatal check-up in the country, he added.

The Deputy Commissioner said the state had targeted to bring the number down to 30 per 1,000 by the year 2010, which could only be achieved by sincere efforts of all concerned. The Deputy Commissioner also said the scheme would be funded by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, and in the district it would be implemented jointly by the Health Department and the Ludhiana District Obstetrics and Gynecologists Society through all government hospitals/dispensaries and private hospitals and clinics. He said in Ludhiana district, the scheme envisaged provision of free OPD services, including antenatal check-up, for all pregnant women and family planning counselling to new mothers on the ninth of every month at government hospitals and by private obstetricians and gynecologists. Thus, the aim was to reduce maternal deaths significantly.

He said all 300 obstetrics and gynecologists of the district would provide free services i.e. free check-up antenatal/postnatal services to the pregnant women. He said “Vande Mataram” doctors would be expected to maintain proper maternal and child health (MCH) record.

Mr Verma added that a comprehensive awareness campaign would be launched to educate people about the program and the identified voluntary doctors would be given a “logo board” by the Department of Family Welfare so that people could know the availability of free service. He said IFA tablets, TT injection and contraceptives would be distributed free of cost by the doctors under the RCH programme. The availability of these would be ensured to the enrolled “Vande Mataram” doctors immediately, Mr Verma added.

Dr S.N. Tiwari, Civil Surgeon, exhorted obstetricians, gynecologists and doctors of the Health Department to strive hard to make the programme a success. He said under the scheme, all members of the Ludhiana chapter of the FOGSI had been told to extend free services on ninth of every month. He said the progress of the scheme would be reviewed once every three months at a meeting of the officers and doctors concerned.

Dr Amarjit Singh Rattan, secretary, Ludhiana chapter of the FOGSI, assured full cooperation by its members.

Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner visited the three-day free health mela organised by the Health Department in association with NGOs and private medical institutions, in which 80 doctors of different specialties, including medicines, dental, surgery, orthopedic, ENT, eyecare, gynaecology, gastroenteritis, cardiology, etc. have been deputed to conduct free medical check-up.

The mela was inaugurated yesterday and so far more than 5,000 patients the surrounding villages have been examined. In the eye unit, 574 patients were examined, out of which 48 were sent for cataract operation, and 226 were provided with glasses free of cost. During the mela, 4,200 sputum tests were also conducted.

A medical diagnostic lab has been also been set up, where free tests are being performed. Hero Heart Institute, Ludhiana, has also set up its extension counter. A mobile dental clinic is also providing treatment to patients. Stalls have also been put up in the field of ayurvedic and homoeopathic system of medicines to examine and provide free medicines to patients.

CME on diabetes organised
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 9
Diabetes is fast becoming a leading cause of morbidity, mortality and disability across the world. It is imperative to fight this menace through education, research and integrated efforts.

In an attempt to promote this endeavour, the Christian Medical College and Hospital organised a continuing medical education programme, “Diabetes — Current Trends”, which provided a forum to revise and update the knowledge on diabetes.

The speakers were Dr S.K. Wangnoo from Apollo Hospital, New Delhi; Dr S.K. Garg, UCHSC Colorado, USA; Dr O.P. Kalra, UCM and GTB Hospital, Delhi; Dr R. Muralidharan, Fortis Hospital, Mohali; Dr A. Bhansali, PGIMER, Chandigarh; and Dr S. Kalra, Bharti Hospital, Karnal.

While inaugurating the session, Dr K.L. Dhar said incidences of diabetes were on the rise not only in India but also in developed countries. He added that diabetes was still the leading cause of blindness in the West. Around 80 per cent of the non-traumatic amputation and about 40 per cent of the last-stage kidney diseases were attributed to diabetes in the West and hence there was an urgent need to train thousands of people in diabetology.

Giving details, Dr Mary John, Professor of Medicine and co-chairperson, CME, said: “Diabetes is a medical syndrome affecting different organ systems in the body due to high blood sugar levels. There are two varieties of diabetes. In type-l diabetes, the body is unable to synthesis any insulin on its own. This type of diabetes is usually seen among children. The type-II diabetes is usually seen among adults. The risk factors for developing type-II diabetes are more or less lifestyle dependent and can be managed by oral medications or insulin administration.”

She added that in India, over 10 million people were suffering from diabetes and the figure was estimated to reach 70 to 80 million by the year 2025, making India the leading country with diabetes. But what was most alarming was that almost equal number of people would remain undiagnosed.

Giving insight into the development of newer insulin and glucose sensors, Dr S.K. Garg, UCHSC, Colorado, USA, said: “In diabetes, to control the blood glucose level has always been a major challenge for diabetologists. Thus, there is a need to bring in the use of newer insulin analog, which can control the wide glucose level fluctuations, hypoglycemic risk, weight gain etc.”

Discussing the new targets and trends for treating type-II diabetes, Dr S.K. Wangoo, said: “The patients should be encouraged to receive medical nutritional treatment by registered and qualified dietician and they should be given regular fitness knowledge. Above all, patients should be empowered to self-manage their diabetes.”

India, with special reference to Punjab, has shown an increasing incidence of diabetes. This is a multifactor disease caused due to unhealthy dietary habits and sedentary lifestyle. Very often a diabetic can have uncontrolled blood sugars but remain in reasonably good health. However, this high blood sugar gradually exerts its influence on various organ systems in the body. Over a period of time, the eyes, heart, kidneys, blood vessels, nervous system and digestive tract become involved. Diabetes remains one of the foremost risk factor for coronary artery disease and chronic renal failure. Diabetic require treatment for life and frequent medical checkups. Hence, patients have to be highly motivated and comply with the treatment prescribed, experts felt.

The CME was attended by over 200 doctors and medical students. The CMCH plans to conduct regular medical updates on newer modalities of treatment in diabetes in future also.

Diabetes treatment camp
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 9
Dhanwantri Sansthan here will organise a diabetes treatment camp at 41 A, Tagore Nagar, Civil Lines, on February 15. Mr Beni Prasad Shastri, Ayurvedacharya, in a press statement today, said diabetes patients would be treated with Ayurveda medicines at the camp.

Mr Prasad said stress had increased among the masses and people were not willing to do strenuous exercises. As a result, diseases were also increasing. In order to control this life-long disease, stress on proper treatment was essential, said Mr Prasad.

Haryana zones sweep titles
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, February 9
Haryana zone made a clean sweep, clinching both the titles in basketball and volleyball in the North Zone Employees Provident Fund Tournament that concluded at the Punjab Agricultural University ground here today.

In basketball Haryana cagers proved their supremacy over their opponents from the Himachal Pradesh zone whom they pipped 23-20 to bag the title.

In the volleyball final, however, Haryana spikers survived a scare and were made to fight for each point by the Uttar Pradesh zone players.

Haryana men lost the first game quite meekly at 13-25 but bounced back into the match in the next game, managing to wrap it 25-23. In the third game again, Haryana spikers, after surviving anxious moments scraped past 25-21 to establish 2-1 lead. In the fourth game, Uttar Pradesh players fought a spirited battle before losing it 23-25 and the title.

Mr Layak Ram Dabaas, Additional Commissioner, Central Provident Fund (North Zone) distributed, the prizes. Mr N N Sharma, Regional Commissioner, Provident Fund (Punjab), presided over the prize distribution function.