Endoscopic neurosurgery at Command Hospital
Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 4
Command Hospital, Chandimandir, has introduced endoscopic neurosurgery for curing certain types of brain disorders, making it among the select medical institutions offering this expertise.

Sources said that so far three cases have been treated in the hospital through this method, which can be applied on specified type of patients.

Describing endoscopic neurosurgery as a form of "minimally invasive" procedure, sources said that it required a small hole to be drilled in the skull to reach the affected part of the brain. The size of the hole is less than 1 cm wide.

Using this procedure does away with the need to give deep incisions to open up the skull for getting access to the concerned portion of the brain and the protective fluid block around the brain can be bypassed.

This not only cuts down on the time required for surgery, but also on the possibility of complications.

Sources, however said that this procedure could be applied only in specific cases and this in no way replaced conventional neurosurgery.

Endoscopic neurosurgery can be applied only in cases where disorders in brain cavities are to be tackled.

Solid portions of the brain cannot be touched through this procedure.

Since the size of the access hole is too small for the surgeon to view the affected portion of the brain, the images of the portion are relayed on a video monitor to enable the surgeon to carry out the procedure by special instruments inserted through the hole

The surgery requires specialised equipment, which has been procured from a German firm.

A total of six doctors from the Army Medical Corps have been trained so far for undertaking this procedure.

While endoscopic neurosurgery is now available in a handful of other military hospitals across the country, it is also catching up in civilian institutions.

So far even the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, does not offer this facility.

Army revises rules on issuing medicines
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 4
Following an instance where an ex-serviceman was caught by the police for allegedly selling medicines issued by a military hospital in the open market, the Army has revised its existing procedures and tightened controls on issuing medicines.

Sources in Western Command said that hospitals had been issued instructions to do away with the practice of issuing medicines for several weeks in one go.

According to a senior officer, medicines will be issued for a shorter duration and prescription would be renewed if required only by the specialist concerned.

Medical officers would no longer be authorised to repeat or continue prescriptions without the specialist's advice. Also, it was observed that prolonged use of medicines without review by specialists was having adverse affects.

It was a common practice that ex-servicemen, many of whom reside in the hinterland, found it convenient to get medicine supplies issued to cover long periods, rather than make frequent trips to hospitals.

At times, the total value of medicines a single person got issued was worth several thousand rupees.

Hospitals authorities used to issue medicines to cover long periods as elderly ex-servicemen suffering from chronic ailments required lifelong medication. 

80 donate blood
Our Correspondent

Mohali, October 4
A blood donation camp was organised at the Northern India Institute of Fashion Technology (NIIFT) here today.

As many as 80 students, faculty members and employees donated blood at the camp which was inaugurated by Mr Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Industries, Punjab. Blood was collected by a team from the PGI Chandigarh.

Mrs Vijay Sharma, Director, said that the camp had been organised to commemorate the World Blood Donors Day which fell on October 1 and also to contribute towards a noble cause.

SPORTS

PU, Pbi varsity to clash for handball title
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 4
The following are the results of the match played in the All-India Inter Zone Inter University Handball tournament at PU grounds, Chandigarh, on Monday. Semi final (Men): Panjab University, Chandigarh, beat Delhi, University, Delhi 25-17, Punjabi University, Patiala, beat Ch Devi Lal University, Sirsa, 23-17.

Match for 3rd and 4th places: Delhi, University, Delhi beat Ch. Devi Lal University, Sirsa, 26-33.

Semifinal (women): Panjab University, Chandigarh, beat Calicut University, Kozhikode, 36-22, Pt Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, beat Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam 28-27.

Match for third and fourth places: Calicut University, Kozhikode, beat Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, 27-23.

St. Kabir Trophy

A fine allround performance by Sajit Nagra (22 no and 2 for 9) helped Hansraj Public School beat St. Peters by 46 runs in a St. Kabir Trophy Cricket match played at St. Kabir School, Sector 26, here on Monday.

Brief scores: Hansraj Public School: 95 for 7 in 20 overs (Sajit Nagra 22 no, Azil Chabra 16, Hardik 3 for 10).

St. Peters: 49 all out in 16.4 overs (Arishbir 18, Sajit Nagra 2 for 9, Jatin Gupta 2 for 8).

In another match St. Johns High School beat Rajan International School by 63 runs.

Brief scores: St. John’s High School 140 for 7 in 20 overs (Adhiraj Gulati 22, Vidhr Seth 21, Paramjeet Singh 2 for 34).

Rayan International School 77 for 7 in 20 overs (Vivek 26, Rahul Sharma 15, Ranspritpal Singh 2 for 5, Ranbir Singh 2 for 15).

In yet another match St. Annes beat St. Kabir by 3 wickets.

Brief scores: St. Kabir 72 all out in 18.3 overs (Karandeep 22, Parkeek 3 for 11, Vishesh 3 for 16, Vivan 2 for 9).

St Annes: 74 for 7 in 20 overs (Abhilash 26 no, Himanshu 19, Karan 3 for 9).

In another match YPS Mohali won by 15 runs.

Brief scores: YPS Mohali 76 all out in 19.1 overs (Subeer Hayer 26, Himanshu 3 for 22, Chandan 2 for 14).

Shishu Niketan School: 61 all out in 18.5 overs (Ashish 26, Jagteshwar 4 for 12, Jotbinder 3 for 14, Mandeep 2 for 4).

Trial to select the Panchkula District Cricket Team (Under 17) will be held on Wednesday ie October 6 at 2.30 pm at Satluj Public School, Sector 4, Panchkula, according to Mr Sandeep Moudgil, Honorary Secretary of the Panchkula District Cricket Association (Affiliated to Haryana Cricket Association). The team will participate in Haryana State Inter-District Cricket Championship to be conducted by the Haryana Cricket Association.

Players born on or after September 1, 1987 are eligible to participate. The selected players will also be registered with the academy already running at Jr Institute of Cricket Technology at Barwala.

Shivalik school win volleyball trophy
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, October 4
Shivalik Public School, Chandigarh, won the CBSE Cluster XIII Volleyball Tournament for the sixth time in a row beating SD Public School, Chandigarh, by 3-1 (25-19, 25-27, 25-21, 25-21) here today.

“We are very happy that the team has won the tournament in the beginning of new session”, Mr Mohan Nargeta commented.

International player Gurinder Singh, Raju Chauhan and Negi combined well for Shivalik Public School while Lalit and Tajeveer played well for SD Public School.

In the Girls section, SD Public School won the first position.

Barara school girls triumph
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 4
Girls of SMS Public School, Barara, defeated Carmal Convent, Chandigarh, in the 2-day CBSE Cluster XIII Kho-Kho Tournament which began at St Vivekanand Millennium School, HMT Township, Pinjore, today.

Teams from different CBSE-affiliated schools from J&K, Himachal, some districts of Haryana and Chandigarh are participating in the tournament.

At the inaugural ceremony of the games, Mr Om Parkash, GM (TRP), HMT Ltd, was the chief guest.

Results: girls — SMS Public School, Barara, beat Carmal Convent, Chandigarh; Hansraj Public School, Panchkula, beat Shishu Niketan, Chandigarh; St Vivekanand Millennium School, HMT Pinjore beat SMS Public School, Barara; and I.S. Dev Samaj, Chandigarh, beat Hansraj Public School, Panchkula.

Boys: Alpine School, Bhawana, beat Jainendra Public School, Panchkula; Hansraj Public School, Panchkula, beat Chandigarh Baptist School, Chandigarh; Shishu Niketan Chandigarh, beat Hansraj Public School, Panchkula; Sanjay Public School beat Shishu Niketan, Chandigarh; and St Vivekanand Millennium School, HMT, Pinjore, beat Alpine School, Bhawana.

Jadeja plans to set up cricket academy
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 4
Former one-day cricket specialist Ajay Jadeja wants to set up an academy where he could give his inputs and share practical experiences with budding cricketers. Jadeja, who started his first-class career under the captaincy of legendary Kapil Dev in Haryana, now plays for Delhi. He said he wanted to continue to play for the Delhi Ranji team.

In city to launch the Institute of Media Studies, the cricketer, in an interaction with mediapersons, said he was committed to the game and was fit to play first-class cricket.

Replying to a query on the fitness of the Indian squad for the forthcoming Test series between India and Australia, he said the inclusion of Sachin Tendulkar had boosted the morale of the team. “ I believe that there should be five bowlers in the team”, he added.

The cricketer said it would take time to produce all-round cricketers like Kapil Dev and Ravi Shastri.

On being asked about his plans, he talked about his dream for the promotion of the game. “ I do not want to associate my name with a business to which I can not give back something” he said when asked on investing in business ventures

Referring to the training academy, he said the climate of North India was good for competitive cricket but refused to reveal details of his dream. “ The academy can be a reality provided I get worthwhile sponsors “, he added.

He said a good coaching and good learning environment can improve an average cricketer.

But the art to play comes from within. Money, power and good coach cannot alone produce an ace cricketer. It requires conviction and uniqueness

Earlier in the day, the cricketer visited the office of the institute. Professionals from the broadcast and print media have joined hands to set up the institute to train youngsters in broadcast journalism.

Mr Arup Ghosh, head of the Sahara Samay Rashtriya, said the face of India was changing with expansion in media and emerging of new channels and need for trained manpower. Ms Shireen Sethi, who has anchored many popular shows, said the city had immense talent.