HEALTH

Blood banking is speciality now, says Talwar
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 23
Blood banking has evolved into a speciality of transfusion medicine with a promising future and has a direct role in patient care, stem cell therapy and cord blood banking.

This was stated by Dr K.K. Talwar, Director of the PGI, during the inauguration of the 10th Continuing Medical Education Programme, organised by the Department of Transfusion Medicine, here today.

He encouraged young graduates to go in for specialisation in transfusion medicine.

Dr Amod Gupta, Sub-Dean and Head, Ophthalmology Department, released a souvenir on the occasion.

Dr Kumkum Sharma discussed the establishment of blood storage centres at primary health centres so that blood could be made available at the site for accident victims and women during delivery.

The centres could be linked to regional blood banks, which could supply screened and tested blood regularly. Dr Neelam Marwaha discussed challenges in creating nationally coordinated cost-effective and quality-oriented blood transfusion services in the country.

Implementation of objectives set out in the action plan on blood safety needed to be accorded highest priority.

Dr R.R. Sharma highlighted side effects of white blood cells and methods of their reduction.

White blood cell reduced blood and leuco-depleted blood was essential for patients requiring regular and repeated blood transfusion, particularly thalassaemics. Dr Beenu Thakral discussed problems and their solutions in blood donor and patient compatibility testing.

Dr R.K.Chaudhary updated delegates on technical and quality-control aspects of platelet transfusion. Application of Internet technology in blood transfusion services in maintaining rare blood donor registries and centralised blood stock management were also discussed.

Senior citizens walk on World Heart Day
Tribune News Service

Mohali, September 23
Fortis Hospital, Mohali today celebrated World Heart Day.

Over 80 senior citizens, members of the Fortis Golden Age Club (GAC), participated in a walk and talk with Dr G S Kalra, DM, Director-Cardiac Catheteriszation Laboratories, Fortis Hospital, Mohali.

The participants first gathered at the Fortis OPD where their blood pressure was monitored. Dr Gurbir Singh, Medical Superintendent, then flagged off the walk around the hospital.

This was followed by a talk by Dr Kalra on ‘Healthy Eating and Healthy Lifestyle’. A general knowledge quiz on health issues was also conducted for the senior citizens. All participants were given a 1-kg pack of Saffola refined cooking oil, free of cost.

Mrs S. Pathak, 76-year old resident of Panchkula, said she could do yoga for two hours but was not an avid walker. However, she was determined to finish the full round because “my daughter in the US made me promise that I wouldn’t stop half-way through.” Slowly but steadily, Mrs Pathak crossed the finish line and was overjoyed with her attempt.

Mr K Manchanda was equally happy. “I enjoyed the walk a lot in the company of all my friends. The information which Dr Kalra gave was enlightening and will help us all,” he said.

According to Dr Kalra, “The incidence of coronary artery disease is fast rising in India and studies have shown that a large number of people are being afflicted with lifestyle diseases because of poor lifestyles. These include people who do not follow a good diet regime, smoke, drink and do not exercise. Such trends are alarming because people as young as 28 years can become victims of a very serious heart ailment. Exercise, both for the young and old, is important and one should be proactive rather than reactive to ailments. Going regularly for brisk walks is a key factor to staying healthy,” he emphasised.

SPORTS

Daaman wins under-10 girls’ singles title
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 23
Kashish was handed out a one-sided defeat by Daaman Sharma, who won 21-7, 21-6 in the under-10 girls’ singles final, during the 18th Chandigarh State Open Badminton Championship at the badminton hall, Sports Complex, Sector 42, here today.

In the under-19 girls’ singles final, Purnica beat Seema in three well-contested games 18-21, 21-15, 21-18.

Finals’ results: under-10 girls’ singles: Daaman Sharma b Kashish 21-7, 21-6; under-13 girls’ singles: Japneet Kaur b Shreya 21-10, 21-8; under-16 girls’ singles: Nisha b Akriti 21-17, 21-18; under-19 girls’ singles: Purnica b Seema 18-21, 21-15, 21-18; under-10 boys’ singles: Rajan Singh b Chaitanya 21-10, 21-9; under-13 girls’ doubles: Diksha and Shreya b Japneet and Daaman Sharma 21-10, 21-9; semifinals’ results: under-16 boys’ singles: Tushar b Aman Sethi 21-14, 21-13; Rohit Lakhanpal b Rohit 21-17, 21-17; women’s singles: H. Sarda b Purnica 21-8, 24-26, 21-13; Manju b Isha Sharma 19-21, 21-7, 21-13; men’s singles: Ashish Sharma b Vivek 21-17, 21-19; Oscar Bansal b Pawar Malik 18-21, 21-13, 21-16; mixed doubles: Purnica and Pankaj b Oscar Bansal and H. Sarda 21-14, 23-21; Vivek and Isha beat Ashish and Bhavna 21-11, 12-21, 23-21.

Athletics meet ends
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 23
Ranjeev Singh of Kumaon Sector and Rajveer Singh of Garhwal Sector, were adjudged best players of the year on the concluding day of the 26th Inter-Sector Indo-Tibetan Border Police Athletics meet held at Tau Devi Lal complex, Sector 3, here, today.

Kumaon Sector secured the first place with 179 points while second and third place went to L&C Sector and Garhwal Sector, who garnered 177 and 161 points, respectively.

The results: 100 metres race: Ranjeev Singh 1, Lakky Vohra 2, Dhruv Devri 3; 5000 metres race: Rajveer Singh 1, Sita Ram 2, Vidhan Tamang 3; Long Jump: Ranjeev Singh 1, Ravi Shankar 2, Ritu Raj 3; Shot put: Sultan Singh 1, Rakesh Kumar 2, Hari Chander 3; 800 metres race: Kaurav 1, Sukhchander 2, Om Prakash 3; 100x4 metres race: Garhwal Sector 1, Himachal Pradesh Sector 2, North East (I) 3.

Kho-kho tourney
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 23
Khalsa Club (A) beat H D Baptist by 9 points in the 5 th Challenger Kho-Kho Tournament that started at Government Model High School, Sector 43, here, today.

The results: Boys: Khalsa Club (A) beat HD Beptist by 9 points, G.M.H.S. Sec-43 beat G.M.H.S. 43(B) by 6 points, Dharamgarh School beat Khalsa Club (B) by 2 points, Khalsa Club (A) beat G.M.H.S. 40 by 7 points, Dharamgarh beat St. Xavier’s-44 by 2 points, J.N.V. 25 beat Khalsa Club (A) by 3 points.

Girls: Khalsa College beat Rattewal College by 7 points, Dev Samaj Club-21 beat Coaching Centre 32 by 4 points, Guru Gobind, School, Sector 35 beat G.M.H.S.-43 by 3 points, Guru Gobind School-35 beat G.N. Club-30 by 1 point.

Tribune school lose in football
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, September 23
DAV Model School-15, Chandigarh, outclassed DAV Public School, Ambala City, 3-0 on the second day of the CBSE Football Tournament (Cluster XIII) at Satluj Public School, Sector 4, here today.

In another match, The Tribune Model School, Sector 29, Chandigarh could not prevail over Bhawan Vidyalaya, Sector 15, Panchkula, and lost the match 0-1.