The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

HEALTH

Ludhiana emerging as destination for medical tourism
Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, February 28
Ludhiana, industrial capital of Punjab, is fast emerging as major destination for medical tourists from overseas, both NRIs and those of foreign origin, who want to combine sight-seeing with knowledge of culture, as also for the modern medical treatment and major surgeries.

It is not only the institutions like Christian Medical College and Hospital and Dayanand Medical College and Hospital here, which the NRIs and foreigners visit for complex surgical procedures like laparoscopic surgery, reconstructive surgery or treatment for urological problems, but the private doctors are also receiving patients for medical, surgical and dental problems.

A surgeon running a multi-speciality minimal access surgery centre at here, has performed a laparoscopic hystectomy with a 16-week size fibroid on a 40-year-old NRI Paramjit Kaur, a resident of London, who had combined her surgery with a visit to her parents at Phillaur early this week.

About to be discharged after a hospital stay of five days, she told the Ludhiana Tribune that whatever apprehensions she had about getting the surgery done in this city, were dispelled after an interaction with the doctors and the supporting staff. “The medical techniques, equipment and the skill of the doctors are fully comparable with those available to an average person in a country like England. Moreover, our roots still being in this country, one feels a sense of belonging even while being treated and communication with the treating doctor and other staff is more comfortable," she said.

A Uganda-based cycle parts dealer Satnam Singh, who have had his mother operated for cancer of the pancreas, was of the view that medical facilities available, even at the private hospitals here, were better and more affordable, than those in his adopted country.

That orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry and prosthetics in this city have also made their mark the world over, is evident from hundreds of foreign patients, with diverse dental problems, treated by Dr J. Bindra, Professor and head, Department of Dentistry in Dayanand Medical College and Hospital. She said her overseas patients included majority of NRIs, as well as those from the USA, Canada and several European countries.

A French couple — Laurent Chevalier and his wife Anne Marie, from Brive town in south central France, who had got their crowns and bridge work (fix teeth) at the clinic of Dr Bindra in Kitchlu Nagar locality here, were all praise for overall standards of Indian dentistry.

The French nationals were of the opinion that the cost of treatment of similar dental problems was not only five times more in their country, but the dental surgeons, like other medical experts, had a very long waiting list, particularly for cosmetic surgery. Moreover, the treatment that they had decided to get in India was not covered either by social security or the insurance companies. “For one of my eye ailment, when I tried to get consultation from a specialist in October last year, I was told that the earliest appointment I could get will be after four months.

Dr Bindra who has her own website said quite a few patients came in contact with her through internet while a sizeable number were referred by visiting NRIs through word of mouth. The winter months, particularly between December and February suited them the most because of the weather conditions and vacations in the schools and colleges. “During these months, the number of patients coming from other countries goes up substantially,” she said.

‘Healthy Baby’ contest focuses on child care
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 28
A hospital organised a district-level “healthy baby contest” at Sahjad village near here yesterday. Parents of over 50 babies participated in the programme, arranged with the cooperation of village sarpanch Ms Jaswant Kaur and former sarpanch Mr Surinder Singh.

Objective of the contest was to focus on the importance of childcare and immunisation and to create awareness among parents. A team of doctors comprising Dr Surmukh Singh from Malaysia, who also happened to be president of the Rotary Club of Malaysia, Dr Gurbaksh Kaur, Dr Saravjeet Kaur and Dr Kamalpreet Kaur were the judges.

The winners were selected on the basis of factors like immunisation, weight, hygiene, health consciousness and observation. Baby Jagdev Singh was declared first, followed by baby Jaskaran Singh and baby Davinder Singh, who were adjudged second and third respectively.

The medical team expressed apprehension that quite a few parents were still unaware of the importance of immunisation, breast feeding and health consciousness of the children. Such competitions, particularly in rural areas would help bring importance of child health care in the limelight, they said

Dr Ramesh informed that the ‘healthy baby’ contests were being organised in collaboration with the district health administration. The programmes would continue be held at village, block, sector, tehsil and district level on a regular basis.

Doctor awarded fellowship
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 28
Dr Rajesh Chand Arya, consultant cardiac anesthesiologist at the Hero DMC Heart Institute here, has been awarded the prestigious travelling fellowship for 2005-2006 by the Indian Association of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Anesthetists (IACTA).

Based on the merits, the selection was made by the executive council of the society which consisted of top cardiac anesthetists of the country.

Talking about the fellowship, Dr Arya said under the programme, he would be sent for further advanced training in cardiac anesthesia at premier cardiac institutions in India for one month on behalf of the IACTA.

The objective behind the fellowship was to train cardiac anesthetists on the latest trends and technologies for better patient care.

With specialised training, quality cardiac care would further benefit the patients.

SPORTS

National champion at 18
Lovleen Bains

Doraha, February 28
Manmeet Grewal a B.Com final year student of Guru Nanak National College, Doraha, has broken national record for men in 90 kg to 100 kg category at the VII Senior Strength Building Championship held at Chennai.

He recorded total 180 kg in the events of press behind the neck that was 102.5 kg and bicep curls in steady motion was 77.5 kg. He broke the earlier record of 172.5 kg of Vishal Khanna whose press behind other neck event was recorded up to 97.5 kg and Bicep curls to 75 kg in the year 2002. Manmeet succeeded in the very first attempt.

In an interview he said , I won the 90 kg title at the North India Open Body Building Championship in my first attempt in October last. From that time, I began taking my sport more seriously and got involved with passionately. I improved my diet. My exercise became more regular. Mr Navdeep Sharma, my coach and guide, encouraged me to participate in the North Indian Open Body Building championship organised by the All India Hitaichi Sports Educational Association and win the title of Mr North India.”

“At home, reservation of my mother Baljinder Kaur, now melted into a strong positive moral support. My father Manjit Singh Grewal and my maternal uncle, Balwinder Singh Mangat, always encouraged me and provided me support to pursue my goal,” he adds.

This achievement for this eighteen-year-old lad seems to have enthused in him to work harder for th e title of Mr Universe and Mr Olympia title.”

BBF rout FTI Club
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, February 28
BBF XI routed FTI Club by eight wickets to register their second win the 12th Veera Devi and 2nd Madan Lal Memorial Cricket Tournament being played at the Tajpur Road ground here yesterday.

Batting first, FTI Club made 172 for the loss of nine wickets in the allotted 25 overs. In reply, BBF XI romped home ( 174 for 2) after 22.2 overs.

Brief scores: FTI Club- 172 for 9 (Amarpal Singh 58, Deep Singh 14; Mohit 3 for 36, Ashish 2 for 33 and Amarjit 2 for 11).

BBF XI- 174 for 2 (Mohit Mangal 64, Ashish 66; Laddi 1 for 24 and Amritpal Singh 1 for 24)

In the second match, Ruby Club of Jalandhar, powered by a strokeful display by Vipan and Rahul, recorded an easy 32-run win over Sports Club of Ludhiana.

The visitors won the toss and opted to bat. In the 22 overs (curtailed due to bad weather), Ruby Club set a daunting target of 186 runs for their opponents. Vipan scored 88 with the help of 7 sixes and six hits to the fence. Rahul made a quick-fire 36 studded with four boundaries. Then, Ruby Club bowlers restricted Sports Club batsmen to 153 runs with eight ball to go.

Brief scores: Ruby Club, Jalandhar- 185 for 7 (Vipan 88, Rahul 36 and Rakesh 18; Avnish 3 for 41, Sunny 1 for 39, Harbhajan Kala 1 for 33 and Devinder 1 for 41)

Sports Club- 153 all out (Nishu 68, Sunny 23 and Rinku 23; Avnish 3 for 32, Tarun 2 for 26, Vipan 2 for 12, Rupinder 1 for 29 and Rakesh 1 for 18).