Ludhiana, December 18
Deputy Commissioner, Satluj Club, Ashok Kumar Gupta has exhorted NGOs and philanthropists to come forward to donate liberally for the treatment of children suffering from thalassaemia since they require regular transfusion of blood and costly medicines.

He was speaking at the annual function of the Punjab Thalassaemic Society organised last evening to honour the organisations/ social personalities who had donated liberally.

The Deputy Commissioner also presented a cheque of Rs 1.50 lakh to the society on behalf of the Satluj Club. He announced that the club would give a regular financial assistance of Rs 30,000 per month to the society from January 2007 onwards for treatment of 200 thalassaemic children.

He appreciated the efforts of philanthropist Parveen Sobti, president of the society, for taking up this noble cause and making arrangements for their regular blood transfusion and treatment of these children.

Mr Brij Mohan Munjhal of the Hero group, who was also present at the function, assured that he would also extend help to the society.

Dr Sobti thanked the donors, especially the executive committee of club.

Others who attended the function included Mr Prem Gupta, secretary, DMC management, Dr Daljit Singh, Principal, DMCH, Dr Sandeep Puri, Dr Raju Chheena, Mr Sanjay Arora, general secretary, Mr Thappar, joint secretary, Prof Arvind Malhotra, Mr Sanjiv Dhanda, cultural secretary, Mr Sarbjit Singh Neeta, sports secretary, and Mr Kulwinder Singh Bains.

Ludhiana, December 18
Cases of hepatocellular carcinoma has been increasing in the world mainly because of the rising incidence of Hepatitis-C. Currently, some 3 to 4 million persons are infected with Hepatitis-C and it is estimated that 5 to 30 percent of these patients will develop chronic liver disease and of these, 30 per cent will progress to cirrhosis.

These were the observations made by Dr Rajoo Singh Chhina, Professor and Head, Department of Gasrtoenterology at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, in a lecture organised on Sunday by the National Academy of Medical Sciences (India) at PGIMER, Chandigarh, on the theme 'Hepatocellular Carcinoma - Diagnosis and Management '.

According to Dr Chhina, Hepatocellular Carcinoma (liver cancer) was generally caused by Hepatitis-B, Hepatitis-C and alcohol, and the condition was more common in men than in women.

"India has a very high incidence of Hepatitis-B and C, which predispose to liver cancer. Vaccination against Hepatitis-B confers a decreased risk for liver cancer. Non-alcoholic fatty liver (deposition of fat in liver) can occur in children with cola-burger lifestyle and children watching television for more than 8 hours a week are at increased risk of this disease."

He recommended that all patients suffering from Hepatitis-B or C needed to follow the international guidelines, which called for a regular follow-up to detect liver cancer at least once in six months. "Liver cancer diagnosed at early stage is treatable and contrary to the generally-held belief, North India has a high incidence of liver cancer because of widespread liver diseases. Public Health Education about the prevention of Hepatitis-B and C is very useful for successful management of this dreaded disease."

Once patients develop cirrhosis, the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma is 1 to 2 per cent per year. The hepatologists role was mainly in the diagnosis, to assess the liver disease status, to decide appropriate treatment and management of the liver disease, added Dr Chhina.

Ludhiana, December 18
More than 700 persons were examined in two free medical camps organised by Hero DMC Heart Institute (HDHI) at Jalalabad and Rampura Phul yesterday.

Dr G.S. Wander, chief cardiologist and coordinator, HDHI, led the team of doctors and technicians at Jalalabad while Dr Bishav Mohan, consultant cardiologist, conducted the check up at the other camp.

The camp at Jalalabad, held under the aegis of the New Sahara Welfare Society at Doomra Hospital, was inaugurated by Mr Hans Raj Josan, state Forest and Irrigation Minister.

Dr Wander urged patients to keep their heart fit and healthy by eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly and abstaining from smoking. One should eat less fat, less sodium, fewer calories and more fibre.

Stressing on physical activity, he said: “The hardest part of an exercise routine is to get started. Once you've established a regular pattern of exercise, you'll find yourself following it.”

ECG, ECHO and blood sugar-level testing were held free of cost. Advise on diet was given to those suffering from cardiac ailments and diabetes. Medicines were also distributed free of cost. 

Ludhiana, December 18
Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, thrashed Lucknow University, 13-1, to enter the league phase of the 44th North Zone Inter-Varsity Hockey Tournament being played at Prithipal Singh Astro Turf Stadium of Punjab Agricultural University campus here today.

Other teams that ensured for themselves a place in the league included Jamia Milia Islamia University, Delhi, Gurukul University, Hardwar, and Punjabi University, Patiala.

The quarterfinal match between Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, and Lucknow University proved to be a one-sided affair with the former romping home victorious with ease (13-1). The winners were leading 6-0 at half time.

GND varsity secured six penalty corners and converted three of these into goals. Lucknow University also forced six penalty corners out of which five went waste.

The second quarterfinal between Jamia Milia Islamia University, Delhi, and Kurukshetra University was won by the former (4-1).

Midway through the first session, JMI University scored two goals through Banali Dass. Jalwinderpal Singh of KU reduced the margin through penalty corner conversion in the 22nd minute.

JMIU's Kanchan Raghav increased the lead to 3-1 in the 27th minute and they pumped in one more goal in the 39th minute through Ramesh Kumar that sealed KU's fate at 4-1.

In a low-scoring encounter, Gurukul University, Hardwar, overpowered Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, 2-0.

After wasting some scoring chances, Gurukul University players drew the first blood in the 31st minute through a field goal by Ashok. Somvir sounded the board in the 45th minute to make it 2-0.

MDU boys repeatedly stormed their opponent's territory, but they remained off the mark. Gurukul players also raided rivals’ citadel but could not increase the lead further.

Earlier, the defending champions, Aligarh Muslim University, failed to turn up and Punjabi University, Patiala, got walkover and booked a berth in the league phase.

On the basis of their making it to the league in the ongoing tournament, GND University, Amritsar, JMI University, Delhi, Gurukul University, Hardwar and Punjabi University, Patiala, have qualified for the forthcoming All-India Inter-Varsity Hockey Tournament to be held at Varanasi from January 9 to 15.

Ludhiana, December 18
Players of Ludhiana basketball teams which secured positions in the 4th Punjab State Parminder Memorial Basketball Championship held at Malout recently were honoured here today. They were felicitated at a function organised by the Ludhiana District Basketball Association (LDBA) here at Guru Nanak Stadium.

Ludhiana fielded two teams in the girls' section and its senior team bagged the title while the junior team finished runners-up. Similarly, in the men's section, Ludhiana cagers emerged champions.

Mr Teja Singh Dhaliwal and Mr Vijay Kumar Chopra, general secretary and vice-president, respectively, of the LDBA along with other office- bearers and coaches received the players.