HEALTH

Health staff vow to fight privatisation
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 19
The fifth delegate session of the coordination committee of para-medical and health employees, Punjab, has resolved to continue its struggle against policies of privatisation of health care and government health institutions, contractual recruitment and seek other demands like increase in interest on provident fund, creation of promotion channels and adequate supply of medicines and equipment to government hospitals.

The two-day delegate session, attended by more than 350 delegates from all over the state, concluded here today. The state convener, Mr Nirmal Singh Gill, summed up the deliberations and issues raised by different speakers, while the co-convener, Mr Bhajan Singh Sandoa, presented the annual report of the body which was adopted by voice vote.

Addressing the concluding session, the chairman of the committee, Mr Mahan Singh Rori, emphasised the need for a decisive struggle against proposed privatisation of the health services since the move was aimed at handing over the government hospitals and dispensaries to the private parties.

The session called upon the state government to initiate necessary steps to fill all vacant posts in the health department through regular recruitment, reinstate all trade union rights and scrap the policies of privatisation and contractual labour which were detrimental to the interests of the employees and the state as a whole.

Prominent among other speakers at the meeting were Mr Ravinder Luthra, president, Punjab State Pharmacists Association, Mr Jaswinder Singh Patti, Mr Sarada Singh Gill, Ms Simarjit Kaur, Mr Amarjit Singh, Mr Buta Singh, Mr Surjit Singh of the Radiographers Association, Mr Balbir Kalia, Mr Chanan Singh, Mr Suresh Sharma, Mr Harbhajan Singh, Mr Khushi Mohammed and Mr Jatinderpal Singh.

Aiimsonians to form Punjab chapter
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 19
The Alumni Association of the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, known as Aiimsonians, is all set to form its Punjab chapter soon.

Dr Gautam Ahluwalia, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, is coordinating the formation of the Punjab chapter which will have its meeting here next month.

Dr Ahluwalia said the objectives of the Alumni Association were to promote interaction amongst its members, serve as a link between the members and their alma mater and to work towards improvement of medical education and health care services all over the country.

The functioning of Aiimsonians is governed by a constitution. There is an executive committee coordinating the activities of the association. The office-bearers of the executive committee are MBBS graduates of AIIMS. The postgraduate course pass outs get representation as executive committee members. The primary membership of the association is mandatory for all members to enroll in the local chapter of Aiimsonians any where in India or abroad. The Director of AIIMS holds the office of the chief patron and the head office of the association is located at AIIMS, New Delhi.

SPORTS

MC Club win by 86 runs
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, December 19
Sunny Bhalla excelled with the bat hitting 91 runs including seven sixes and nine hits to fence as the Municipal Corporation Club recorded an easy 86-run victory over United Club of Jagraon in the opening match of the first Ludhiana District Twenty-Twenty Cricket Tournament which began at the Bharat Box Factory ground, Tajpur Road here on Sunday.

Municipal Corporation Club won the toss and elected to bat first. They were all out for 171 runs with two balls to spare. Besides, Sunny Bhalla’s fine knock of 91 runs, other scorers were Sunny Dutt 12, Rajesh Gandhi, Harmeet Batra and Rajesh Sharma (11 runs each). For United Club, Rajeev Bagga and Chaman grabbed two wickets each for 28 and 38 runs, respectively.

Municipal Corporation Club bowlers did a commendable job by restricting United Club’s innings to 85 runs in the stipulated 20 overs. The notable scorers were Rohit Khanna Rahul (10), Rajeev Rana (13) and Avtar (16). Municipal Corporation Club’s successful bowlers were Harmeet Batra and Rajesh Sharma who captured two wickets each conceeding 9 and 16 runs, respectively.

Mr A.K. Sharma, Superintendent of Customs and Central Excise inaugurated the tournament in which more than one dozen teams are taking part. Mr Sanjeev Dhanda, vice-president, Ludhiana District Twenty-Twenty Cricket Association, along with Mr Parven Aggarwal and Mr Sandeep Jalota, office bearers of the association, were among others who were present during the inaugural function.

MKM Nursing Institute sports meet concludes
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 19
The annual athletic meet of Dr MKM Nursing Institute run by Guru Nanak Education and Social Welfare Trust, Mullanpur, concluded on Friday.

Mr Ramesh Chander Dogra , Health Minister, Punjab, was the chief guest. Among others present on the occasion were Mr KK Bawa, president, All-India Bairagi Maha Mandal and Chairman, Housefed, Mr Malkiat Singh Dakha, MLA, Dr Rajinder Kaur Civil Surgeon, Dr SS Dhir, SMO, and Mr Telu Ram, president,Nagar Panchayat.

Speaking on the occasion, the Health Minister told the gathering that he was impressed with the functioning of the nursing institute. He stressed on the need for free or cheap medical care for people of Punjab.

Trust president Sanjeev Narula proposed a vote of thanks.

Dr Bhupinder Singh, general secretary put forward a proposal for constructing a 100- bed hospital for the area and introducing B.Sc nursing course. Besides the sports events and awards ceremony, a cultural programme was also presented by nursing students.