HEALTH

Polyclinics need to be strengthened
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, May 7
The Indian Exservices' League, Punjab and Chandigarh, today called upon the defence ministry to strengthen polyclinics so that the retired defence personnel could avail of the medical facilities.

Lt Col Chanan Singh Dhillon (retd), president of the league said here that the polyclinics setup under the Exservicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) was a good scheme but lacked the basic infrastructure to serve the veteran defence personnel. As many as 27 polyclinics had been setup in the country under this scheme and a number of them had been setup in Punjab.

Colonel Dhillon explained that a fixed amount was paid to become a member of the polyclinics for life and medical treatment was provided to the retired defence personnel and their dependents and the serving personnel of the armed forces too. But the scheme had failed to meet the demands of the retired personnel as they had to run from one hospital to another as the polyclinics were not fully equipped with the qualified doctors and trained para medical staff.

Colonel Dhillon pointed out that the scheme of establishing polyclinics a such was a good step but these clinics were without medicines. Sanction for the procurement of medicines was got from the officers of the rank of Brigadier which took lot of time and the ailing personnel were put to difficulties.

Even the empanelment of the hospitals was not upto the mark as some of the hospitals did not comply with the agreed rates of treatment.

He said the polyclinics should be fully equipped to undertake basic clinical tests.

Oral tumours linked to bad food habits
Mahesh Sharma

Mandi Ahmedgarh, May 7
Progressive decrease in the size of jaws due to change in food habits and oral hygiene is the root of an alarming rise in incidents of oral tumors, dental surgeons of the area feel.

Dr Kanwalpreet Singh Grewal and Dr Meera Hind claimed that there had been an increase in oral tumors even in those who never had tobacco and paan. “The main reason is progressive decrease in the size of mandible and maxilla, coupled with the impacted third molar,” asserted the doctors while talking to the Ludhiana Tribune.

Referring to the results of random studies done by Aryan Dental Hospital, they said the younger generation was more prone to this state. “Higher use of processed food and fall in the use of raw food like sugarcane, nuts, fruits and vegetables, resulted in decreased mastication which led to hypertrophy and malformation of jaws, the major cause of oral tumors,” they maintained.

The doctors were worried that a substantial fraction of the cases might be diagnosed as malignant tumors.

Dr Vikas Tabi held that a regular check-up at a dental clinic would yield positive results. “A visit to a dental surgeon may help in the diagnose of the abnormality at an initial state when it is manageable with proper exercise and little medication. Constant hidden abrasion before eruption might cause problem to neighbouring teeth and gums also,” he added.

SPORTS

Batra to lead Ludhiana team
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, May 7
Harmeet Batra has been named captain of the Ludhiana team to take part in the inaugural part of the Punjab State Inter-District Twenty-Twenty Cricket Tournament to be played here from May 12 to 16.

According to Mr Amarveer Singh, president, Ludhiana District Twenty-Twenty Cricket Association (LDTTCA), trials were conducted here yesterday at the BBF Factory ground, Tajpur road, to select the team for the forthcoming tournament. The selection panel of Dr M S Mahal and Harish Dua watched the aspirants before finalising the district team. Mr Sandeep Jalota and Mr Parveen Aggarwal, chairman and patron, respectively, of the LDTTCA, were also present during the trials.

The Ludhiana team comprises Harmeet Batra (captain), Karan Puri, Rajesh Sharma, Salil Kaushal, Harpal Singh, Vishwajeet, Rajesh Gandhi, Gagandeep Bhalla, Sunny, Jagarpreet, Sarabjeet Lalli, Varun Sharma, Rajesh, Shakun Verma, Ashish Sehgal, Chinton Sehgal, Arminder Brar and Arjun Puri.