The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

HEALTH

PGI to have machine for thalassaemic patients
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 13
A special machine for segregation of blood components, meant for thalassaemic patients, is being installed at the PGI. The machine will exclusively cater to needs of thalassaemic patients who require a particular component of blood. Currently, the thalassaemic patients have to arrange unsegregated blood from the blood bank of the PGI. The annual requirement is 6000 units of blood.

The machine, being purchased through the grant provided by Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, MP, will ensure easy availability to needy persons.

Talking to the Tribune, Mr Satish Kapoor, Manager of the Thalassaemic Children Welfare Association, said it would be a great relief once the machine was installed at the PGI. At present the association has 308 patients registered with it from across Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh.

Mr Kapoor said the treatment costs around Rs 6000 per month for a patient. At present, the therapy to remove excess iron deposited on the organs was costing around Rs 20,000 per month and it had been started for economically disadvantaged children.

Blood Donors Day to be celebrated today
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 13
The Blood Bank Society is celebrating World Blood Donors Day in a big way tomorrow. According to Mr Rajan Kashyap, Chairman, Rotary & Blood Bank Society Resource Centre, the day was being observed to promote voluntary blood donation in this region and honour some of the regular blood donors who had saved the lives of thousands of people.

The Society had a special children’s programme on Doordarshan on Monday evening at 6:05 pm with a panel of experts from the Blood Bank Society answering questions.

The Students of St. Stephen’s School joined hands with the Society to spread the message of voluntary blood donation at six different public places in the city in the evening. The places include the Lake, Fragrance Garden in Sector 36, Sector 22 and 17 markets, the Rose Garden and Fun Republic, according to Mrs Niti Sarin of Blood Bank Society.

A special free screening of “Bunty Aur Bubbly” has been organised at Picaddily theatre tomorrow for donors with the help of the Chandigarh Administration and theatre management.

Mr Kashyap stated that the blood donation camp was also being organised on that day in Rotary & Blood Bank Society Resource Centre in Sector 37 where people can walk in and give blood.

The service has been started by the Rotary Club of Chandigarh and the Blood Bank Society.

Plea for voluntary blood donation
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 13
Chandigarh Administrator Gen. (Retd.) S.F. Rodrigues, PVSM VSM called upon the people to make voluntary blood donation a people’s movement on the eve of World Blood Donors Day. General Rodrigues said that the day provided an opportunity to convey gratitude to those who give blood voluntarily for the benefit of others.

The Governor thanked all voluntary blood donors for their contribution towards the cause and expressed the hope that a new generation of blood donors would follow their example, providing safe blood for use, wherever and whenever it is needed to save a life.

Commemorating the day, Indian Society of Blood Transfusion and Immuno Haemotology (ISBTI) is organising an awareness campaign for the public on the occasion of World Blood Donor Day tomorrow. Mass rallies with banners and posters, quiz contests, seminars and voluntary blood donation camps will be held in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala and Chandigarh.

According to General Secretary ISBTI, Dr. Makroo, the Society has taken a pledge of not letting anyone die for want of blood in the country. The shortage of safe blood has particular impact on children suffering from Thallesemia in addition to people affected by malaria, malnutrition, trauma victims and women with complications in pregnancy.

The ISBTI hopes to address these issues and create awareness about the importance of voluntary blood donations because sufficient and safe blood supply is the key to an effective health care system.

The annual collection of blood in India is only 5.5 to 6 million units against the requirement of about 8.5 million units. In a population of 120 million people, ideally there should not be a shortage of blood. A significant number of deaths could be avoided if people donate blood regularly and voluntarily.

Motivating people to donate blood
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 13
Students of St. Stephen’s School today joined hands with the Blood Bank Society to motivate residents of the city to donate blood. For them it was a unique experience. For Akshata Mohanty, a student of the school, “it was an evening with a difference.” She along with 12 fellow students chose various points in the city to spread the message of voluntary blood donation. They distributed book marks and balloons along with the message to donate blood.

The students also asked people to come forward and donate, dispelling myths and misinformation about blood donation everywhere they went. “It is a noble cause, one must donate blood once every three months,” believes Eshjot Walia, another volunteer, who spent time convincing the public in Fragrance Garden, Sector 36, today.

SPORTS

Coaching camp for U-17 cricketers at PCA
Akash Ghai
Tribune News Service

Mohali, June 13
To hone the basics and technique of budding cricketers, a week-long coaching camp for under-17 cricketers commenced at Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium here today. As many as 41 cricketers picked on the basis of their performance in the recently concluded under-17 inter-district matches for M.L. Markan Trophy are participating in the camp.

Former Ranji Trophy players and National Cricket Academy qualified coaches like former left-arm spinner Bharti Vij, former Punjab captain Krishan Mohan and former medium pacer Arun Bedi have been deputed by the PCA to train the cricketers. Heading the team is D.P. Azad, the first Dronacharaya awardee.

“Besides coaches, physical trainer and physiotherapist have also been deputed. They are giving special attention on the fitness of the cricketers”, explained Azad, who is also chairman of coaching committee of the PCA.

Briefing about the training protocol to keep the players fit, Mr T Pawan Kumar, physiotherapist said: “We have prepared a special training programme, in which emphasise would be laid on building endurance, strength, agility and speed.”

Giving details, Azad said, “Out of these 41 probables, we will select 24 for another camp to be held very soon. The final 15 to represent Punjab in the national level tournaments will be selected from the camp”.

Dodgeball meet from today
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, June 13
The first dodgeball championship will begin here tomorrow at the grounds of Manav Mangal High School, Sector 21.

The two-day championship is being organised by the Dodgeball Association of Chandigarh. Nearly 15 teams in the boys and girls sections from various schools and colleges will take part in the tournament.

According to Mr G.P. Pal, general secretary of the association, city team for the first National Dodgeball Championship, to be held here in July, will be selected on the basis of performance in the meet.