HEALTH

Radiofrequency ablation opens new vistas in dermatology
Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, December 12
A study conducted in the Department of Dermatology at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) here has concluded that radiofrequency ablation is a better therapeutic modality in the treatment of viral diseases and benign tumours of skin as it is associated with less post-procedure complications, lesser number of sittings, good therapeutic response and blood-less field, making it more cost-effective.

The study was conducted by Dr Ashoo Budhia, a PG resident in the DMCH under the guidance of Dr Alka Dogra, Professor and Head in the Department of Dermatology and Dr Sunil Gupta, Associate Professor in the department. The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of surfecation and radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of viral diseases and benign tumours of skin.

According to Dr Dogra, surfecation was the old modality for the treatment of these skin conditions while radiofrequency ablation was a new advent in the field of dermatology which was available in few centres only. “Radiofrequency ablation or radio-surgery is the branch of therapeutics in which ultra-high frequency waves of range (RF 500-4000KHZ) are used to remove a variety of skin conditions like warts, molluscum contagiosum, skin tags, pyogenic granuloma, cherry angiomas (red spots), age spots, keloids, fat deposits, freckles, moles and skin cancers.”

During the study, 60 clinically diagnosed cases of viral diseases (warts, molluscum contagiosum) and benign tumours (skin tags, pyogenic granuloma) were included and divided randomly into two groups of 30 patients each.

In one group, surfecation was done and in other radiofrequency ablation was carried out. The immediate post-procedure side effects like pain, bleeding and redness were noted. The patients were also followed up for three months to see any recurrence of lesions, persistence of lesions and sequela like scarring.

The results overwhelmingly weighed in favour of radiofrequency ablation on the basis of factors like better and speedier response, least post-procedure complications and treatment cost, Dr Dogra maintained.

Mop-up polio campaign continues
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 12
The three-day mop-up polio drive in the district continued for the second day with the field staff of the Health Department, along with volunteers from NGOs, service club and Education Department visiting door-to-door to administer polio drops to children between the 0-5 age group official sources in the department claimed that nearly 70 per cent of a total 5.22 lakh eligible children in the district were covered on the first day at 2100 polio vaccination booths set up in the city and rural areas. Officials said going by the information provided by those supervising different sectors, around 1.94 lakh children in towns and another 1.73 lakh in villages were covered on the opening day of the drive. The department had set up 2100 polio booths all over the district and more than 8000 volunteers, including medical and para-medical staff, was deployed to administer polio drops.

Dr Y.S. Markan, Director, Punjab Health Systems Corporation, who has been camping here for the past several days to oversee the pulse polio campaign he said even though the total coverage of eligible children was expected to be completed by December 13, the drive could be continued for another day or so beyond Tuesday if thought desirable. “We can not take any chances and it will be our endeavour to make sure that not even a single child is left unimmunised.”

According to Dr Rajinder Gulati, in charge of Sector 11, who was coordinating 49 vaccination posts, including nine mobile and another 14 transit posts, more than 1000 children were given polio drops at the local railway station and the general bus stand on Sunday. In all, over 5500 children were vaccinated in this particular sector. 

Deepinder gets award
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 12
Dr Deepinder Singh, Associate Professor, Lord Mahavir Homoeopathic Hospital, Ludhiana , has been given the Preet Lari Award for his book ‘Kanchan Kaya’.

Mr M.P. Singh, Secretary, Higher Education and Languages, at a state-level function held at Bhasha Bhavan, Patiala, presented him the award on the concluding day of Punjabi Language Week.

Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, Dr Deepinder Singh said ‘Kanchan Kaya’ had 43 chapters and the short essays were related to the physical, mental and emotional health of an individual. He said the common adage was ‘Health is Wealth’, but these days, people believed ‘Wealth is Health’.

Trillions of dollars were being spent on medicines, but it had not been able to cure a single person of hypertension or diabetes. No doubt, it could control it, but prevention was better than cure. The book told how to cope with stress as stress was bound to be in the modern way of living.

“We get very tired these days, but we should not, as the body has a lot of resources to fight fatigue. But we do not have the emotional strength to cope with fatigue.”

Dr Deepinder Singh had given ways and means how to prevent AIDS, hypertension and diabetes, cardiac problems and obesity in ‘Kanchan Kaya’.The book dealt in detail with all common diseases and problems that one faced these days.

SPORTS

Civic apathy at cycling meet
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, December 12
The approach of the Doraha Municipal Council and other local officials seem to be indifferent as none of them was present yesterday as well as today at Doraha, the venue of the 25th BSA Asian Cycling Championship.

More than 500 participants from 24 countries have been taking part in a road races on the 17.5 km stretch between Doraha and Khanna.

The meet was kicked off on Sunday during which, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, former Union Minister and President, Cycling Federation of India, was the chief guest. A number of local Akali leaders and a handful spectators were present when Mr Dhindsa flagged off the road race yesterday morning.

Unfortunately, neither anyone from the local Municipal Council, Block Development and Panchayat Office and the SDM office, Payal, was present there nor any welcome gate was there to greet the visitors from different countries.

A temporary pandal with shamiana and some chairs had been erected at the starting point on the National Highway No 1 on the GT Road near the flyover bridge where one banner was put up by the Doraha Youth Forum. Jandeep Kaushal, a social activist from Doraha, lamented since the town was the host to an international event, the officials from the local Municipal Council should have made their presence.

They did not even bother to put up any banner to welcome the guests, he rued. Punjabis are known world over for hospitality but civic body’s act has brought bad name to the town, Mr Kaushal added.

Annual sports festival ends
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, December 12
The 11th edition of the annual sports festival organised by the Yuvak Sevavan Sports Club under the ageis of the Punjab Rural Sports Promotion Council at Lalton Kalan village, about 10 km from here, concluded yesterday.

In the handball final, Punjab Police XI beat Government College, Ludhiana, 22-18. In kabaddi open, Kussa beat Daudhar 11-9.

In volleyball, Chak Kalan beat Khanjarwal. In kabaddi 62 kg, Kakrala Bhaika beat Dhat, in 57 kg, Shehzad beat Lalton Kalan and in 52 kg, Dalla beat Kakrala.

In dog races, Seizure of Amrit Singh came out triumphant while Tom Moody of Inder Pal Singh Dhaliwal finished runner-up.

In bullock cart race, Surinder Singh of Gujjarwal was first, Bela Singh of Dehlon second and Major Singh Mullanpur third.

The organisers honoured Sajjan Singh Cheema, Arjuna awardee and former international basketball player, during the closing ceremony. He was given a cash prize of Rs 5,000 and a citation.