Ludhiana, May 11
The chest unit and the Paediatrics Department of the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) organised a seminar on the occasion of World Asthma Day to discuss the causes, effects and new treatment modalities available for the treatment of asthma. During the OPD hours, demonstration of various inhalation devices and information regarding prevention, treatment and management of the disease was also given to the patients and their family members. The aim behind organising the awareness programme was to dispel the myths regarding the disease and to educate the affected persons about the right diagnosis and treatment.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr Jagdeep Whig, vice-principal and head of the chest unit, observed that inhalation was a unique modern form of therapy, in which a tiny dose of asthma medication was breathed into the lungs through the mouth using pocket-sized inhaler. This way, the medication reached straight into the lungs and worked quickly, effectively and safely, because the medication did not travel all around the body. Inhalation therapy had been around for over 30 years and had benefited millions of men, women (including pregnant women and nursing mothers) as well as the children worldwide.

He added that today asthma could be diagnosed at the doctor’s clinic without expensive tests and treated easily.

Dr Anil Kashyap of chest unit delivered a talk on the new advanced treatment therapies of asthma. Dr Sanjeev from the paediatrics department focused on acute severe asthma in paediatric patients. Dr Daljit Singh, Principal and Professor, Department of Paediatrics, and Dr U.P.S. Sidhu, Associate Professor, chest unit, chaired the interactive session during the seminar.

Speaking on the “Unmet needs of asthma”, the theme of the World Asthma Day this year, Dr U.P.S. Sidhu said out of estimated 20 million asthamatics in India, nearly 14 million did not have adequate control over asthma. “The patients frequently miss school or work, find it difficult to enjoy a good night’s sleep, stay away from any kind of vigorous physical activity, are often hospitalised for attacks and may even avoid social interaction because of the stigma attached with asthma.” 

Ludhiana, May 11
A blood donation camp was organised by employees of Max New York Life Insurance Company at S.A.S. Grewal Memorial Multi-Speciality Hospital here today. At least 25 persons donated blood at the camp, which was handed over to the Civil Hospital for the benefit of poor patients.

Giving this information, Dr G.S. Grewal, Medical Director of the hospital, said the institution would hold a free medical camp on June 17 to commemorate the birthday of Sardar Avtar Singh Grewal, advocate, in whose name the hospital was being run. During this camp, all patients would be examined free of charge. The facility of free blood sugar examination and ECG would also be provided.

Further, in the month of September, a cardiac check-up camp would be held in collaboration with Escorts Hospital, Delhi. A team of doctors, led by internationally acclaimed cardiologist Dr T. S. Kler would examine the patients.