The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

HEALTH

Ex-CJI dwells on patients’ rights
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 6
The former Chief Justice of India, Justice M. N. Venkatacheliah, has suggested that a chart of patients’ rights must be displayed at every hospital in the country and called for renewing the role of the family physician.

He was speaking after releasing a book, ‘Patient’s Rights’, written by Dr Sampath Kumar, professor at the Department of CTVS at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, today at India International Centre. The book describes the experience of the author with patients, highlighting the need for the recognition of their rights.

Speaking on the occasion, Justice Venkatacheliah referred to the American system of medicine where doctors have to pay billions of dollars for malpractice insurance premium annually. He also referred to the drug companies, which are funding both medical education and are offering lucrative opportunities for doctors.

While narrating anecdotal cases of tort in the US, he emphasised the need for effective communication between the doctor and the patient and how a doctor’s word is taken too seriously by the patient.

Justice Venkatacheliah also referred to some of the publication in recent journals, especially one in which there was a coincidental observation of reduced morality in Israel during doctors’ strike. He narrated how patients benefit from doctors’ touch and the sensitive nature of such physical exertion.

Justice Venkatacheliah, who is also the chairperson of the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution, concluded with the suggestion that continuing medical education and periodic re-certification must be made mandatory for all practicing physicians. He also called for displaying a chart of rights of the patients prominently at every hospital and the renewal of the role of the family physician who would attend to the entire family’s medical needs. He recommended that everyone should read the book.

Dr Sampath Kumar said today there was no law which provided for the rights of the patients in India.

In the United States and the Europe, efforts were being made to convert patient’s rights into action in the form of legislation. However, no serious effort was being made in India on this subject, he said.

Dental Health Mela begins at MAMC
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 6
The five-day Dental Health Mela was inaugurated by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today on the premises of Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) in the Capital. The mela is being organised jointly by the Delhi Government and the dental wing of MAMC.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister expressed deep concern at the increasing incidents of oral diseases in the Capital and other parts of the country.

She said that there was an urgent need for the country to formulate strict oral health regulations to stem the trend.

Ms Dikshit also stressed upon the need for formulating proper strategies, including generating awareness about oral health hygiene among school children, which are implemented at the grass-root level.

At present, the dentist-population ratio in India was one to 20,000 and as India was a developing country, prevention was the best cure, she said.

The mela will provide free dental check ups, dental updates, educate public to maintain better oral hygiene and create awareness about the latest treatment modalities.

The Delhi Health Minister, Mr A. K. Walia, who was present in the function, said that a super specialty dental college and hospital would start functioning at MAMC by the middle of next year. It will be a modern dental institution catering to all super specialties in dental services.

The college will have eight clinical departments, including prosthodontics, orthodontics, oral surgery, operative dentistry, periodontics, pedodontics, community dentistry and oral medicine.

It will also have four basic sciences department including dental materials, oral anatomy, histology and oral pathology.

Dr Mahesh Verma, MAMC’s head of dental wing, said that the main aim of the mela was to educate the general public about dental ailments and preventive measures, including proper brushing of teeth, curbing bad habits including thumb sucking, nail biting, tongue thrusting, mouth breathing, smoking and tobacco chewing, as more than 85 per cent of the dental diseases were preventable.

SPORTS

Cyril Ekka scores hattrick for CISF
in Shastri Hockey
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, December 6
Three goals in a row by Cyril Ekka propelled Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to a facile 5-1 victory against Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) in the Shastri Hockey Tournament at the Shivaji Stadium here on Thursday.

In another one-sided match, Punjab and Sind Bank crushed Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) Juniors 4-1. In a Group A match, Cyril Ekka’s goal-scoring magic was the high-point of CISF’s huge victory. Cyril scored goals in the 12th and 18th minutes to give CISF a 2-0 lead at half time.

BPCL got their only goal eight minutes into the second half when Sultan Jilani found the target. Cyril added the third goal for CISF in the 46th minute, S K Kiro made it 4-1 in the 53rd minute and G V Khakha completed the tally in the 61st minute (5-1).

In a Pool B match, Punjab and Sind Bank opened their account through a penalty stroke goal in the sixth minute when Rajinder Singh neatly scooped in, but seven minutes later, the tenacious IHF Juniors pulled back the equaliser through Rajesh Yadav, who converted a penalty corner (1-1). Rajbir Singh regained the lead for the Bankmen in the 29th minute as they led 2-1 at half time. In the second half, Sandeep Singh struck a goal in the 46th minute and Sandeep Singh Seep completed the tally in the 58th minute to assert their superiority over the IHF kids.

Punjabi varsity record big win
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, December 6
Punjabi University, Patiala, made mincemeat of Dr B.R. Ambedkar University, Agra, when they recorded a 15-0 victory in the Shri Guru Teg Bahadur Khalsa College Golden Jubilee North Zone Inter-University Hockey (Men) Championship at the Khalsa College ground here on Thursday.

Navdeep was the hero of the match, scoring five goals, while Charanpreet (3), Navdeep Saini (2), Virender (2), Tajender, Randhir and Harminder accounted for the other goals.

Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, trounced Kashmir University 9-1, after leading by 5-0 at half time. Rahul was the ace scorer, accounting for six goals, while Ashok (2) and Sanjeev (2) struck home the other goals.

Kanisatbir scored the only goal for Kashmir. Jammu University beat Chhatrapati University, Kanpur, 4-1. Gurinder, Gurmit, Anoop and Jagdip were the scorers for Jammu. Sushil Man got the goal for Chhatrapati. In the last match, Guru Nanak Dev University beat Kurukshetra University 3-0. Saranjit Singh scored two goals while Saravjit accounted for the third.

Friday's fixtures: Punjab University vs Punjab Agriculture, Ludhiana; HP University, Shimla vs Punjabi; GNDU vs J &K.

DSCL Open National Tennis from Dec 10
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, December 6
The DSCL Open National Tennis Championship will be held at the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association courts from December 10 to 22. More than 1,550 entries have already been received for the championship, which will be promoted by DCM Shriram Consolidated Ltd for the tenth year in succession. Ms Neelam Anand, DGM-PR of DCM Shriram Consolidated, said Bharat Petroleum and Yonex had associated themselves as associate sponsors this year. Catch Natural Water will be the official beverage.

ADMINISTRATION

Permits must for school buses: DC
Our Correspondent

Rohtak, December 6
The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Anil Malik, has ordered the management of various schools in the district to get permits for plying their buses and other vehicles for carrying children to the schools.

Such buses and vehicles engaged by various schools in transporting children were hitherto exempted from obtaining permits under section 56 (3)(H). The concession had been withdrawn by a notification issued by the Centre, he said here yesterday.

The Deputy Commissioner has directed the Education Department authorities to ensure that the schools in the district obtained permits for plying their buses and other vehicles. He has also advised the authorities to ensure the safety of school children as per the norms laid down by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. He has directed the authorities of schools to take necessary measures required for the safety of children travelling by buses or other vehicle.