New technique to tackle heart attack cases
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 13
Despite the overall success of interventional techniques like primary angioplasty and/or stenting in cardiac diseases (mainly in acute myocardial infraction, commonly known as heart attack), finding an optimal strategy in lesions with an occlusive thrombus (or blood clots) remains a challenge for the cardiologist. To overcome this clinical problem, the cardiologists of Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) used a new technique called export aspiration catheter thrombusuction on a 75-year-old patient suffering from acute myocardial infraction. The patient recovered and was discharged from the hospital in good health within a few days. This is the first time this technique was used in Punjab, claimed the CMCH authorities.

Explaining further, Dr T.M. Jaison, Professor of Cardiology and Deputy Director, CMCH, said, “With changes in the lifestyle, cardiac diseases are on the rise, especially among the urban population. Many of these are caused due to wrong eating habits and, thus, there is an increase in the blood cholesterol level causing a heart attack. Most of the cases of the AMI, thrombus or more commonly known as clots in blood vessels, create a difficulty in providing total relief to the patient. The smaller clots in the blood stream tend to block the finer offshoots of the coronary artery, the finer vessels remain blocked and the heart muscles still do not receive the required oxygen and continue to work less efficiently.”

“By the use of this new technique, using distal protection devices and export aspiration catheter thrombsucition, patients with blood clots in the arteries now can have excellent results of angioplasty and stenting with full protection of heart muscles. In this, an export aspiration catheter (EAC) is used to remove the existing thrombotic material from the coronary artery and then ballooning with or without the installation of stent is followed. This prevents injury to finer vessels, which is already a high possibility in similar situations without the use of the EAC”, said Dr Jaison.

Fats should be 30 pc of calorie intake
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 13
In a move to educate women about facts relating to good health, AP Solvex a manufacturer of ricela refined rice bran cooking oil, conducted a fitness contest at Sarabha Ladies Club here yesterday. The contest was an open question and answer session in which the host, Mr Aditya Raj Kalia asked questions from the audience. All members of the club actively participated in the contest and answered questions and they were given away prizes by the company.

Various facts came to the light as the contest proceeded such as that fats should not be eliminated from the diet as they are concentrated sources of energy, provide essential fatty acids and carried fat-soluble vitamins in the body. To remain fit one should take fats to the tune of 30 per cent of the total calorie intake. He stressed that a good rice bran oil reduced bad cholesterol and raised the level of good cholesterol in the body, without adversely affecting the good cholesterol due to the presence of a component, Oryzanol,which was not found in any other vegetable oil.

The informative questions and answers regarding health were useful for all members. The president of the club, Mrs Manjinder Kaur, as well as all members appreciated and enjoyed the contest.

Along with the contest, certain games including tambola and dance were also organised to commemorate Basant.

The event was organised by analysts, event managers and pioneers in developing and organising various social and commercial activities.

Pulse Polio Campaign arrangements discussed
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 13
To finalise the arrangements for the second round of the Pulse Polio Campaign on February 22 a special meeting of the district task force was held at the Mini-Secretariat on Thursday under the chairmanship of Mr Sumer Singh Gurjar, Additional Deputy Commissioner.

Mr Gurjar stated that foolproof arrangements had been made to give drops to more than 4.87 lakh children in the district. For this purpose more than 2,100 booths were set up. The services of about 8,800 officials, including doctors, paramedical staff, employees of departments concerned and volunteers of Rotary Clubs and other NGOs would be requisitioned.

Sports fest begins at DMCH
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, February 13
The three-day North Zone Inter-Medical Indoor Games Tournament-NOZIT ’04, being hosted by Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, got off to a grand opening at Dumra Auditorium here today. Teams from various medical colleges of North India are taking part in the meet.

The event was inaugurated by Mr Amrit Nagpal, secretary, managing society, DMCH, by lighting the ceremonial lamp. The welcome address was given by Dr G.S. Bajwa, convener, sports council, DMCH. Dr Bajwa thanked Mr Amrit Nagpal and Dr Daljit Singh, Principal, DMCH, for their support.

Dr Daljit Singh declared the meet open. Dr J. Whig, Vice-Principal, DMCH, Dr Sandeep Puri, Medical Superintendent, were also present. Mr Prem Gupta, joint secretary, managing society, released the mascot — Danny and Cat.

The oath ceremony was conducted by Mr Vishwadeep, organising secretary, while Dr P.S. Nain, sports secretary, read out the details and rules of the tournament.

Dr Rajoo Singh Chhina, chairman, sports council, said a colourful cultural programme would be held tomorrow.

The day started with exhibition matches between faculty and administrative members of the DMCH.

Results: badminton (doubles): Dr Rajneesh Garg and Dr G.S. Bajwa b Narinder Singh, COO, and Rajeev Verma, manager, HR; carom: Dr Sunil Katyal b Dr Rajinder Mittal; chess: Dr Daljit Singh b Dr J. Bindra; table tennis: Dr G. Ahluwalia drew with Dr Harpal Singh.

Fast food rehris impounded
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 13
Officials of the Tehbazari Department, Municipal Corporation, swooped down on rehris selling fast food near the Clock Tower here this afternoon and impounded six rehris along with some cycles parked on the road.

As a result the area in front of Guru Tegh Bahadur Market became spacious. A number of roadside vendors could be seen running away with their goods.

As the tehbazari officials moved on to the Katchery road, cloth sellers who had stored their goods on the road hastily pulled in their merchandise. A number of scooters which were parked on the road were also impounded.