Ludhiana, September 20
Dr Lal Pathlabs opened a state-of-the-art diagnostic centre here yesterday.

Mr Ramesh Chandar Dogra, Health Minister, Punjab, while inaugurating the centre, expressed the hope that with the facilities to be made available by Dr Lal Pathlabs, the medical services would undergo a sea change in the region.

Observing that laboratory tests and other diagnostics aids held the key to right treatment for most of the diseases, he also called upon medical professionals to serve the suffering humanity with compassion and dedication.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Arvind Lal, Chairman and Managing Director of the company, said with the opening of this laboratory, the city and other towns in the neighbourhood would now be on Dr Lal Pathlabs National Pathology Grid, which integrated the entire network of LPL labs across the country.

“The network is connected with the help of a high-tech software system and satellite technology, resulting in complete hands-off operations and error-free results. At LPL, our endeavour is to provide our patients timely, accurate, cost-effective and error-free results.”

Giving details of the facilities available at the centre, Dr Lal informed that the laboratory was equipped with fully automated laboratory instrumentation with a bi-directional interface, in which diagnostic instruments actually “talked” to the mainframe computer. This ensured error-free diagnosis in the shortest possible time.

The additional feature of the lab, Dr Lal added, was the fully automated and advanced TB diagnostic equipment “'BACTEC 460”. This enabled faster detection of tuberculosis and hence timely treatment. India registered 22 lakh fresh cases of TB every year, of which five lakh persons died for want of early diagnosis and treatment.

Ludhiana, September 20
“Even a minor variation in behaviour of children offers important clues to their sickness. Undue lethargy, irritability and confusion often indicate serious problems. Any significant or unexpected change in routine activities such as playing, feeding and sleep should alert mothers about one or the other impending problem.”

These observations were made by Dr Y. K. Amdekar, an eminent paediatrician from Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai, while delivering a guest lecture at a one-day conference of paediatricians, organised by the Ludhiana district branch of the Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) here on Sunday. More than 250 delegates from all over the state attended the conference which had been duly accredited by the Punjab Medical Council for grant of CME hours.

Among other distinguished speakers at the conference were Dr Anita Khalil from Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi, Dr Rachna Sehgal from Safdarjang Hospital, Delhi, Dr Daljit Singh, Principal, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, and Dr Jugesh Chhatwal, Professor and Head, Department of Paediatrics , Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana.

Dr Chhatwal, speaking on hyper-pyrexia (fever above 105° F) advised sponging with tap water till temperature came down to 101 degrees. Ice or cold water should not be used. Such cases with very high fever required hospitalisation, adequate fluids and anti-pyretics to lower the temperature before specific cause could be identified and treated. She also dwelt upon diagnosis and management of malaria, typhoid and dengue.

Speaking on intra-uterine infections, Dr Sehgal said these infections could be acquired either during pregnancy or during delivery. These infections could further lead to prematurity, growth retardation, developmental defects or congenital diseases. As a preventive measure against such infections, women should be immunised against hepatitis-B, chickenpox and rubella. Pregnant women should avoid contact with sick people, eating under-cooked meat, improperly washed vegetables and contact with infectious substances.

Dr Khalil spoke on congenital heart disease (CHD). She said incidence of the CHD varied from four to eight per 1,000 births and one- third of afflicted children died within the first few weeks if not treated.

Dr Daljit Singh stressed on maintenance of fluid and mineral balance in a critically ill child. Speaking on electrolyte imbalance, he observed that besides the treatment of primary condition due to which children were brought to hospital, maintenance of fluid balance was of critical importance and could prove life-saving.

Dr A.S. Chawla explained in detail the role being played by the National Neonatal Forum in reducing neonatal deaths which was still unacceptably high in our country.

Dr S.S. Luthra, president of the IAP, and Dr Harinder Singh, organising secretary of the conference, also addressed the delegates. The conference bulletin was released by the IAP Punjab state president, Dr Hira Lal Khanna.

Ludhiana, September 20
Abhinav Bhatia's all-round performance (25 runs and 2 for 32) went in vain as Gandhi House (GH) lost the inaugural match against Raman House (RH) by seven wickets in the Annual Inter-House Cricket Tournament of Kundan Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School which began here today.

RH won the toss and put GH to bat. In the stipulated 12 overs, the GH team made 86 runs for the loss of 8 wickets. Abhinav Bhatia was the top scorer with 25 runs off 31 balls. Kanav and Uday contributed 10 and 12 runs, respectively. For RH, Paruthi, Girish and Rameez claimed one wicket each conceding 26,15 and 12 runs respectively.

RH achieved the target in the 8th overs at a loss of just three wickets. Rameez hammered 31 runs off 15 deliveries while Somesh scored 26 and Akshay remained unbeaten on 9. The successful bowlers for the GH were Abhinav (2 for 32) and Mayank (1 for 10).

Earlier, Mr S.C. Saxena, Principal of KVM School, inaugurated the tournament. Mr J.P. Sharda along with other faculty members were also present on the occasion.