The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

HEALTH

New drugs more effective in curing eczema, skin problems
Payal Pruthi
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 6
With a number of new anti-inflammatory, non-steroidal drugs now available in India, the management of eczema, psoriasis and other skin problems has become more effective and safer. The new drugs like tacrolimus used for the treatment of eczema and tazaroten for psoriasis promise no side effects and can be easily used on children. In addition to this, these new drugs can be used for a long, continued treatment.

A large number of people in the region are affected with the congress grass-related eczema. The number of registered cases at the PGI run into thousands. Over the years the number of people affected from the congress grass eczema has increased.
According to Dr Handa various measures are being taken by the government to this end. He said a number of skin diseases were now visible after the organ transplant. With the number of transplant surgeries increasing related skin diseases were also increasing.

Psoriasis which remains a major skin disease so far remains treatable and even Ayurveda and Homeopathy have not been able to cure it fully, said Dr Handa.

Informing about the availability of the new drugs and other skin-related problems at the 31st Annual Conference of North Chapter of the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists, Dr Sanjeev Handa said though the drugs were a little expensive (Rs 120 to 150 for a 10 gm tube) but they were very effective.

Also present at the conference was Dr David J Atherton from Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children,London.

Talking to The Tribune about childhood atopic eczema which is a very common skin disease among children all over the world, Dr Atherton said that a wet wrap therapy was highly effective as a treatment. Explaining the therapy, Dr Atherton said a wet fabric was wrapped on the affected area which had to be changed from time to time. He added that more problematic eczema may, however, require systematic treatment or phototherapy.

Talking about the increasing popularity of cosmetic dermatology Dr Handa said that professional dermatologist’s advice should be sought for any skin problem rather than approaching beauty clinics who did not offer professional
counselling.

AIDS awareness camp held
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 6
There is a need to create awareness about HIV/AIDS among people, especially youths. Even in urban areas like Chandigarh the youths are not fully aware of HIV/AIDS. These inferences were drawn during a HIV/AIDS awareness camp organised by the Theatre Age, an NGO, and Arizona, a discotheque, on the latter’s premises today.

Dr Avinash Jolly and Mr Sunil Mittal from the Servants of the People Society were the experts on the subject present on the occasion.

Thirty youths in the age group of 19 to 26 years, including girls and boys, were given questionnaires about HIV/AIDS. Out of these, 46 per cent of the participants believed that the virus spreaded through blood donation while 39 per cent thought it spreaded through blood tests. Eleven per cent of the respondents believed HIV/ AIDS spread through social meetings while 7.1 per cent thought it was a result of insect bites. Sixty-one per cent were willing to undergo HIV test, while 75 per cent of the respondents believed that the use of condoms helped protect against HIV/ AIDS.

Dr Jolly said the youths visiting discothèque were specially targeted, as they were the pleasure seekers and believed in living life freely.

He said the results showed poor awareness among the youth about the scourge. He stressed the need for extensive and intensive campaigning to create awareness about HIV/AIDS.

SPORTS

City shuttler makes it big
Arvind Katyal

Chandigarh, November 6
City shuttlers have a reason to cheer. After Kanwal Thakar Singh donning international colours, it is the turn of 15-year-old Oscar Bansal, who has been included in the lndian under-16 badminton team.

Oscar will be the first city-based badminton player to find a berth in the Indian team ever since Chandigarh got its direct affiliation with the Badminton Association of India in 1987.

He will take part in the Asian Badminton Championship (South Region) in Kathmandu (Nepal) from November 17 to 19.

After nearly 18 years, the dedication of coach Surinder Mahajan has paid off with Oscar making it to the Indian under-16 team.

General secretary, Chandigarh Badminton Association, and former national chief coach T.P.S. Puri was ecstatic over Oscar’s achievement and said Oscar’s dedication and Mr Mahajan’s guidance had helped him soar so high.

He said Oscar had a long way to go and must continue to strive harder to rise further in the national arena.

Oscar gave credit to Mr Mahajan and the CBA. He said Mr Mahajan had given him valuable tips and that he had adhered to intensive training. He also expressed gratitude to the Panjab University’s Sports Department for allowing him to practise at the university.

Oscar will attend the national camp from November 8 to 16 at SAI, Bangalore.

Other members of the team are: Arun and Guru Dutt (AP), Abhimanyu (MP) and coach Robin Ghosh.

Vijay is ‘Mr Fit’
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 6
Vijay Yash Paul was declared “Mr Fit Lake Sports Complex” and Simmi Malhotra was adjudged “Ms Fit Lake Sport Complex” in the Aerobic Competition organised by Lake Sports Complex, here, today. As many as 120 competitors participated in the competition, which was held in various age groups in men and women categories.

General Manager, Punjab National Bank, Northern zone, Chandigarh, B.P. Chopra distributed prizes to the winners.

The following 16 competitors qualified for the final event: Pranav Rawat (up to 15 years); Akshit Malhotra (up to 15 years); Ishani (up to 15 years); Jyoti, (up to 15 years); Vijay Yash Paul (15 to 30 years); Sumit Kumar (15 to 30 years); Asha (15 to 30 years); Shikha Rana (15 to 30 years); Manu Bhardwaj (30 to 45 years); Vikas Malik (30 to 45 years); Simmi Malhotra (30 to 45 years); Lakhwinder Kaur (30 to 45 years); Charanjit Singh (above 45 years); Satpal Gupta (above 45 years); Manjit Kaur (above 45 years); Jasbir Chawal (above 45 years).

JSS team disqualified
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 6
Allegations, counter-allegations and disputes dominated the 3rd Kanwar Harbans Lal Memorial Football Tournament, being played at the Football Stadium, Sector 17, here today. In today’s match between St Stephen’s School, Sector 45, and Sirhind’s Jesus Saviour School (JSS), the latter team had to face the wrath of the organisers for flouting the rules.

After losing the match 2-1, St Stephen’s lodged a complaint with the organisers that their opponents had fielded an player from outside. After verifying the facts, the technical committee found the complaint genuine and disqualified JSS team from the tournament. The match was awarded to St Stephen’s.

Sigma XI lift trophy
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, November 6
Sigma XI won the 6th Cry Cadence Corporate Cricket Challenge after defeating ICICI Bank XI by 6 runs at Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex, Sector 3, here today.

Brief scores: Sigma XI : 135 for 9 in 25 overs (Anup Pandir 34 n.o., Parminder 21, Pankaj 4/19). ICICI XI: 129 all out in 24.5 overs (Geetesh Dua 28, Sandeep Bhardwaj 18, Gurpreet 3/17).

Man of the match: Anup Pandir