HEALTH

Neurosurgery safe option for patients: experts
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 30
"These days neurosurgical procedures are done to improve duration and quality of life. More people now understand that neurosurgery does not imply management of head injury alone. It also includes tumors, infections, congenital anomalies, brain haemorrhage among others. Mortality and morbidity related to neurosurgical procedures are now very low and the patient is able to lead a healthy life."

This was stated by Dr V. K. Jain, Director, neurosurgery, Fortis Hospital, Mohali, at a CME organised in association with the IMA at IMA Bhavan, Chandigarh, which was chaired by Prof and Head of Department of Neurosurgery, PGIMER, Dr S. N. Mathuria.

As many as 125 doctors of the region attended the CME where Dr Jain spoke on "Micro Neurosurgery" and Dr Bernard T. Lyngdoh, Consultant, Neurosurgery, Fortis Hospital, Mohali, spoke on ''Management of Head Injuries''

"With rapid advances in diagnostic modalities (CT scan, MRI and DSA), safe anaesthesia and the improved understanding of microscopic anatomy of the brain, neurosurgical operations are now safer. The rapid advances in the development of operating microscopes and microsurgical instruments have also contributed towards making neurosurgery a safe option for patients," Dr Jain stated.

Speaking at the CME, Dr Bernard added, "No head injury is so trivial that it can be ignored or so severe that it leads to despair. Head injuries are largely attributed to the growing density of vehicles and the high speeds at which they are driven. The management of head injury starts at the accident site itself. It is very important to ensure that a patient is able to breathe normally and hence the maintenance of the airway is critical. This also helps in avoiding vomitting and consequent low oxygen in blood."

Talking about the steps to be taken at the hospital, Dr Bernard said, "Paramedics and doctors following the standard of Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) and investigations in the form of CT scan require urgent categorisation of the severity of head injury. This should accompany the simultaneous initial emergency management in the form of intubation where there is an obstructed airway, fluid and blood replacement and measures to reduce high brain pressure. With the advancements in critical care and the awareness of management of the injured at the site, today we can even save a patient with severe head injuries."

Seminar on blood donation concludes
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 30
The voluntary blood donation movement in India got a further impetus with a number of innovative ideas, thoughts and issues discussed during the two-day seminar on “Safe Blood — The Need Never Ends”, organised by the local Blood Bank Society in association with the Federation of Blood Donors Organisation (FBDO), which concluded here today.

Speaking on “Rural Motivation — A Critical Concern,” Prof M.K. Taneja, Chairperson, Department of Sociology, stated: “Even though the number of rural donors is higher than urban donors, some part of the rural populace feels that blood donation is hazardous to health. There is a possibility of getting HIV/AIDS through this process. There are some myths prevalent in the rural areas like the blood becomes thick or thin with transfusion and there is a chance of impotency.”

She added that the solution to this was imparting effective communication in dispelling these myths and strengthening the voluntary blood-donation movement. This could be done through personal contact programmes, including holding blood donation camps in villages, distribution of pamphlets in the local language and holding of nukkar meetings and skits.

Narrating his experiences in the rural belts of Nawanshahr, Mr G.S. Toor of the Blood Donation Council, Nawanshahr said: “Although it seems as if it is a herculean task to convey the movement’s message to the rural population, but it is possible through a sustained and effective communication programme. One effective way of imparting this message is to address the people gathered on any religious or commemorative occasion.”

Dr Sonia Trikha, Project Director, State AIDS Control Society (SACS), UT, in her lecture on “Fight against AIDS” highlighted the projects undertaken by the SACS to impart the message “Avoid AIDS and Donate Blood.”

Prof M. Minz of the Transplant Surgery, PGI, in his lecture on “Organ Donation” rued that the response of public was not encouraging for organ donation and since 1994 only around 300 persons had donated their organs.

SPORTS

Chandigarh clinch cricket trophy
Tribune News Service

Mohali, April 30
Riding high on fine batting in both innings, Chandigarh lifted the trophy after scripted an emphatic win over Jalandhar district in the finals of Under-15 Inter-district Cricket Tournament for Sushil Bali Trophy at the PCA stadium here today.

Continuing from 195 for 6 in 66 overs Chandigarh eventually folded up for 437 in 132.4 overs in their second innings. The main wicket takers for Jalandhar were Pragat (3 for 116), Gurkirat (2 for 48), Shrey (2 for 19) and Siddarth (2 for 112).

In reply, Jalandhar were tottering on 61 for 4, when the umpires called off the play after eighth mandatory over.

Chandigarh won the match on 1st inning lead of 241 runs.

Mr G.S. Walia, Media Director, BCCI (North Zone), gave away the Winners Trophy and a cash prize of Rs 20,000 to the winners.

Scores

Chandigarh (1st innings): 322 all out (Shah Navaj 132 n o, Naveen 68, Gurinder 59, Pargat 2 for 112, and Gurkirat 3 for 75).

Jalandhar (1st innings): 82 all out (Pargat 51, Gurinder 6 for 36, and Rahul 4 for 29).

Chandigarh (2nd Ininngs): 437 all out (Gurinder 118 n o, Naveen 92 , Nawab 82, Dhruv Sarna 58, Pargat 3 for 116, Siddarth 2 for 112, Gurkirat 2 for 48, and Shrey 2 for 19).

Jalandhar (2nd Innings): 61 for 4 (Pargat 26, Gurinder 1 for 5, Nawab 1 for 32, and Naveen 1 for 0).

Army School win cricket match
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 30
A cricket match was organised by the Army between inmates of Siksha Sahyog Boys Hostel, Satwari, Jammu and Kashmir, and students of the Army School, Chandimandir, at the military station here today. The Army School team won the match by 70 runs.

The students from Kashmir had arrived here yesterday on an educational tour organised by the Army under Operation Sadbhavana, a statement issued here said.

The aim of the Siksha Sahyog project is to support children from militancy-ravaged areas in the state. The hostel at present has 23 boys and they are provided boarding, lodging and education by the Army.

The aim of the match was to inculcate the sprit of brotherhood and national integration among the students as well as to provide greater exposure to students from Kashmir for their personal and intellectual development.

The president, Army Wives Welfare Association (Western Command), Mrs Mohini Daljeet Singh, gave away the prizes.

The Kashmiri students will visit the Western Command Library in Chandimandir as well as Panjab University, Sukhna Lake, Rose Garden, Rock Garden, Sector 17 and the Yadavindra Gardens in Pinjore tomorrow.

New Zealand minister visits cricket academy
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 30
A 17-member delegation, including New Zealand's Sports and Recreation Minister Trevor Mallard, Ms Heather Ward, Deputy High Commissioner of New Zealand in India, and Mr R.K. Kaushik, Secretary, Political and Protocol Department, Punjab, visited St. John's Cricket Academy, Sector 26, here today.

Mr Trevor interacted with the upcoming players of the academy.

Impressed with the academy's working, he agreed to send cricket teams of schools from his country to play matches with the academy team.

Earlier, chief coach of the academy Nagesh Gupta received the guests and apprised them of the working, facilities and development programme of the academy.

Cycle rally for good heart
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 30
With a view to creating awareness about prevention of Cardiovascular diseases among the masses, a cycle rally was organised here today. The rally was organised by the School of Public Health, Community Medicine Department of the PGIMER, Chandigarh, in association with DAV Senior Secondary School and the Chandigarh Amateur Cycling Association (CACA).

The rally was flagged off at 8 am by Mr Ravinder Talwar, Principal, DAV Senior Secondary School, from the school gate. Dr J.S. Thakur, Assistant Professor, Community Medicine, PGIMER) , Dr Gaurav Chhabra and Mr Mohinder of the CACA were also present on the occasion.

As many as 26 participants took part in the 
rally. On the way, posters and pamphlets on heart diseases were also distributed.

A group discussion on cardiovascular and diabetes was held with the participants.

"The aim of the rally is to promote cycling and all other kinds of physical activities among the masses. Due to sedentary lifestyles we are devoting minimum time on physical exercise.

The energy derived from our food is getting stored as fat in our bodies. This has increased risk of various diseases like hypertension, heart attacks and diabetes etc," said Dr Gaurav Chhabra.

KB DAV-7 lift table soccer cup
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, April 30
KB DAV-7 won the Table Soccer Gold Cup-2006 organised by the Indian Table Soccer Federation held at St Teresa Convent School, Sector 25, here today. The second prize won by St Teresa Convent School team, while the UP Table Soccer Association, Kanpur, went home with third prize.

About 300 players participated in the tournament.

The results:

Girls category: U-8: Vashika 1, Tamanna 2, Diksha 3; U-10 (singles): Jaspreet 1, Paridhik 2, and Chakshu 3; U-10 (mixed doubles): Rajat, Divya 1, Naresh, Purveja 2, and Sahil, Paridhi 3; U-12 (mixed doubles): Iliyas, Khushboo 1, Vishal, Neha 2, and Simran, Parveen 3; U-19 (singles): Soni Verma 1, Saraswati 2, and Aarti 3; U- 16 (singles): Meena 1, Reenu 2, and Nandini 3; Above 19 (singles): Kavita 1, Preeti 2, Ritu Bansal 3

Boys category: U-8 (singles): Nishant 1, Pulkit 2, and Kunal 3; U-8 (doubles): Tejinder, Aditya 1, Manpreet, Ram 2, Pulkit, and Sam 3; U-10 (singles): Shivam Sharma 1, Tejasvi 2, and Mukul 3; U-12 (singles): Parveen 1, Rajat 2, and Rakshit 3; U-12 (doubles): Akhil, Shubham 1, Abhi, Surjeet 2, Tushar, and Raju 3.

GNP-36, CC-42 win handball tourney
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 30
The Guru Nanak Public School, Sector 36, team thrashed the Coaching Centre-42 team (24-10) in the girls’ final while the Coaching Centre-42 team beat the Government Model School Coaching Centre-19 team (14-3) in the boys’ final of the UT State Handball Championship played at the DAV Senior Secondary School grounds, Sector 8, here today.

The contributors for GNP-36 were Sukhdeep Kaur (15), Amanjot (7), Japneet (1) and Harshiba (1), while Kishan (5), Pintu (5), Chandan (4), Gagandeep (4) and Arjun (3) were the main scorers from CC-42.

Tilak Raj elected CTTA president
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 30
Mr Tilak Raj, Superintending Engineer, Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN), six-time Haryana state table tennis champion and Bhim awardee of the Haryana state, has been elected president of the Chandigarh Table Tennis Association (CTTA).

Mr Patanjali Kumar, Senior Audit Officer, AG (Audit), Haryana, has been elected honorary secretary for a term of four years.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the CTTA held here. The House authorised the president and secretary to select the other office-bearers of the association.

Throwball trials today
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 30
The Amateur Throwball Association of Chandigarh will conduct throwball trials to select Chandigarh men's and women's teams at Chandigarh Baptist School, Sector 45, on Monday at 5 pm.

The selected team will take part in the north zone throwball championship. The championship will be held at Solan from May 13 to 15.