HEALTH

Over 1000 patients examined in health camps
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 5
More than 100 patients in need of different surgical procedures were examined and rendered free advice at a month-long free and concessional surgical camp, which commenced at Dewan Hospital here on Sunday. This is the seventh such camp organised by the hospital. A debate on 'Healthy Indians - How ?' was also organised on the occasion.

Mr Surinder Dawar, Parliamentary Secretary, Power, Urban Development and Housing, Punjab, who inaugurated the camp, appreciated the initiative of the hospital. He said service to the sick and suffering human beings was one of the noblest deeds, particularly in the wake of inadequacy of the government institutions in the field of medical care. He observed that in our community there were a number of poor persons, who were unable to avail of the medical facilities due to their poor financial condition and it was for such people that free camps proved most helpful.

According to Dr Narottam Dewan, all the patients registered at the camp would be given a free check-up and free admission for the surgical treatment. In addition, two thirds of the expenses of all laboratory investigations of blood and urine, ECG and ultrasound will be borne by the hospital. Half of the medicines required for anesthesia and surgery will be provided by the hospital and 30 needy patients will be operated upon free of cost. As many 150 patients will have to pay only one third of the total expenses.

In two separate medical camps, sponsored by the National Integrated Medical Association (NIMA) at Shivpuri and Gurdwara Model Town Extension here yesterday, more than 500 patients were examined by teams of doctors, the blood sugar level test of the patients was conducted and free medicines were distributed to them.

Giving this information, Dr Surendra Gupta, secretary, district branch of NIMA, informed that the focus of the camp held in Shivpuri was on diabetes. The diabetic patients were examined by Dr Naveen Mittal, endocrinologist from Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, and expert advice on diet was provided by Ms Meenakshi Gupta, dietician.

The teams of doctors for the two camps comprised Dr Rajesh Thapar, Dr Surendra Gupta, Dr Inder Sharma, Dr K.K. Kharbanda, Dr Diwakar Sharma, Dr Avtar Singh Luthra, Dr Sanjeev Jain, Dr K.K. Sharma, Dr Vandana and Dr Upendra Vatsyayan besides Dr Surendra Sharma.

More than 300 patients suffering from a variety of health problems like diabetes, hypertension as well as paediatric, gynaecological and dental diseases were provided professional consultation and free medicines at a free medical camp organised by the Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha at Rishi Nagar Colony here yesterday.

Mr Rajinder Bhandari, state secretary of the BJP, inaugurated the camp while Dr Ashwani Choudhry, Dr Bakshi Parminder Singh, Dr Amit Jain, Dr Amishi Jain, Dr Shekhar Kapoor and Dr Ashish Nayar conducted the medical check-up of the patients, according to BJYM ward president, Mr Kuldeep Sharma.

Peanuts can be dangerous for kids
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 5
Winters are bringing along a pack of goodies, the most common being peanuts. No one can resist the temptation of peeling these nuts and gobbling them and it is quite natural to share them with toddlers.

But watch out. These small things could be dangerous for the kids as those less than five years of age, might push the nuts down their windpipe. This is because the little one may not have proper coordination in chewing and swallowing. Once the peanut or shell goes down the windpipe, children tend to choke and cough.

"Normally, the person in attendance tries to remove such articles by putting a finger down the throat of the kids which instead worsens the situation and the foreign body can go deep down the windpipe."

Sounding a word of caution, Dr V.P. Singh, head of paediatric surgery at Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH), says parents ought to exercise caution in this regard. "Peanuts or walnuts should not be given to toddlers nor should they be left alone with small toys or whistles. Once choking is noticed, thump the chest as it facilitates the ejection of the foreign body. The affected child should be immediately taken to a place where the foreign body can be removed."

According to Dr Singh, at the CMCH, such cases have been handled for the past 10 years. In January 2001, the department of paediatric surgery had acquired a special instrument which had made the removal of foreign bodies possible.

Indo-Pak Punjab Psychiatric Society formed
Our Correspondent

Dr A.K. Kala

Ludhiana, December 5
A professional organisation, named “Indo-Pak Punjab Psychiatric Society”, has been formed to study psychological problems in India and Pakistani parts of Punjab.

Dr A.K. Kala, a city psychiatrist and founder president of the society, giving this information here today, said that in view of the common language and cultural ethos as well as predominant agriculture economy in both communities, problems and concerns were similar and hence solutions and treatments were are also bound to be similar.

He said the sharing of ideas and expertise would help mental health professionals and patients of both Punjabs.

An agreement to this effect was reached on the sidelines of the Ist International Conference of the SAARC Psychiatric Federation held at Agra from December 1 to 4.

The society would have Dr Haroor Rashid Chowdhry of Lahore as its secretary. The first conference of Indo-Pak Psychiatric Society would be held in August 2006 here, Dr Kala added.