The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

HEALTH

India’s first visually impaired doctor honoured
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 13
The President of India, Dr A.P.J Abdul Kalam, gave away the National Award to Dr Rakesh Kumar Jaiswal on World Disability Day at a function organised by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment at Vigyan Bhavan in recognition of his outstanding service to humanity through alternative system of medicine, viz, acupressure.

Dr Jaiswal, the first blind doctor in India, was born in the year 1968 at Gorakhpur (UP). He lost his father when he was three years old. Seven years later he was also deprived of maternal affection. Thus began a journey of struggle for Dr Jaiswal who had to join hands with his brother in the family business. His family comprised seven brothers and four sisters.

Dr Jaiswal is married to Anjana and has a daughter, Aishwarya (3).

Undaunted, Dr Jaiswal passed his high school examination despite heavy economic odds. Already reeling under poor health due to the untimely loss of his parents, Dr Jaiswal lost complete vision of both the eyes due to adverse reaction of allopathic medicines in 1987. Dr Jaiswal pledged to serve humanity through alternative systems of medicine so that no one else had to suffer the ill-effects of English medicines.

Dr Jaiswal despite suffering complete impairment of vision of both the eyes continued his studies and passed various examinations with flying colours and achieved rare distinction. Dr Jaiswal has to his credit various degrees from premier institutions of the country: BA, MA (Pol Sc), B Ed, MA (Buddhist Studies), MPhil (Buddhist Studies), NET, PhD (thesis submitted).

Simultaneously, to redeem his pledge Dr Jaiswal also pursued various technical courses to practice acupressure. He has passed AMD, DEJ, BEMS, CMS, and Diploma in Holistic Science courses. Dr Jaiswal has been practising the acupressure form of alternative medicine for the past 15 years. His magical fingers have cured patients suffering from various curable and non-curable ailments, viz migraine, cervical, slipped disc, mental disabilities, back pain, paralysis, asthma, arthritis, sciatica and cancer. Dr Jaiswal also imparts training to the interested in his zeal to spread awareness among the people about the benefits and cost-effectiveness of this system. He also organises free medical aid camps throughout the length and breadth of the country.

He has thus treated various patients suffering from various ailments. Dr Jaiswal also practices at WUS Health Centre at University of Delhi since the year 2000 and has become popular in a very short span.

Dr Jaiswal has been practising at Jessa Ram Hospital, Karol Bagh, since 2002 and has been successfully curing patients suffering from various diseases. Long queues in the evening outside his OPD clearly reflect the effectiveness of his treatment. He also practises at Nanak Charitable Hospital, Nanak Pyau, Pratap Bagh, Delhi.

BODY&MIND
Radical shift in spasticity treatment
Ravi Bhatia

In what marks a radical shift from conventional surgery for childhood spasticity due to cerebral palsy, experts from All India Institute of medical Sciences and Institute of Childhood Disability have now recommended a combination of physiotherapy, short and serial casting, orthoses and botox for improved results. Medical experts, including Dr G. P. Dureja, In-charge Pain Clinic, AIIMS, Dr Col K. K. Singh, Neurologist from Army R. R. Hospital and Dr Mansoor Alam, Consultant Development Therapist from the Institute of Childhood Disability, were addressing parents of spastic children at a session organised on the occasion of the World Disability Day in New Delhi.

Cerebral palsy is a non-progressive neurological disorder that manifests itself as intellectual impairment or spasticity in most patients. It is generally caused by an injury to the brain, either before, during, or shortly after birth. In many cases, the causes of brain injury cannot be ascertained. The degree and nature of handicap that results from this injury is variable. The parts of the body, which would be affected by weakness and spasticity, depend on the areas of the developing brain that are damaged. Afflicted children have difficulty grasping objects and crawling. As they grow older, their walking is impaired. The disorder is the commonest cause of physical handicap.

The goals of treatment for childhood spasticity due to cerebral palsy are to maximise function and minimise rigidity in muscles, apart from managing other secondary problems. The combined efforts of relevant doctors, therapists, family counsellors and social supporters are required to fully achieve the set goals best results are seen in children whom the therapy is administered at a very early age, say of 3-4 years.

Botulinum has, in recent decades, been studied the world over for its medical benefits, and has yielded consistently amazing results in management of spasticity induced by cerebral palsy. Botox injections may allow surgery to be delayed or even avoid it in some cases.

Experts agreed that surgery alone may not produce desirable results. At the same time, probability of unpredicted complications due to surgery is high. The cerebral palsy child that could benefit the most from Botulinum toxin treatment is one with abnormal muscle tone interfering with function, or who is expected to develop rigidity in muscles with growth because of it. By altering this muscle tone, muscular function can be enhanced.

Treating cancers: Not many years back, treating a variety of cancers, including prostate cancer, head and neck cancer, brain tumors, breast cancer etc, would leave the patient as well as the cancer specialist keeping their fingers crossed. Many a times, the treatment modalities were so sketchy that they would also kill normal body cells, besides targeting the cancerous cells. However, now, with more and more advanced techniques being introduced in India, cancer treatment has become safer as well as predictable. These techniques are so focused that the damage to normal cells is minimal, and the operative time is much lesser.

Dr S. Hukku, Co-ordinator of Oncology group at Delhi’s Apollo Hospital, says: “The pattern of health care delivery in our country makes cancer management a complex and challenging affair. Delays in diagnosis and treatment can be very harmful for a disease like cancer. Thus far, we have had to look upon other countries for advanced treatment. However, the scene is fast changing, and fortunately, now these facilities of the international standard are available in the country.

The radiotherapy facilities here are equivalent to the best hospitals in the USA or Europe and at a much lesser cost. This is well-supported by experienced surgical and medical oncology teams”. He was speaking on the occasion of the first anniversary of Apollo Cancer Institute.

On the occasion, the director of Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, Dr K. A. Dinshaw, also delivered an oration on new developments in radiation therapy. Another highlight of the event was the musical performance by celebrated santoor player, Pandit Bhajan Sopori.

“Soothing music is believed to have a positive enhancing effect in cancer management. Such a deft performance by the santoor maestro was a befitting tribute to acknowledge the importance of music therapy that uplifts the spirit of the patient and supports the treating surgeon”, says Dr Sameer Kaul, senior cancer surgeon at the hospital.

What a headache: Migraine is listed by the World Health Organisation as the 19th top disabler of mankind. It is estimated that around 10 per cent of the population are affected by migraine; by this yardstick over 100 million Indians would be suffering from migraine headache.

Despite this prevalence, migraine remains a mystery to many; even to those who suffer most from these headaches. There is no medical test for determining whether that is or isn’t a migraine. Migraines are poorly understood and vastly under diagnosed. Prof Ferrari spoke about the various causes of migraine and the possible triggers, symptoms of migraine and about medication available to treat migraines at a recent symposium on the subject here.

He talked about the recent advance in management of migraine and preventive medication. He mentioned that when the headaches are severe and occur more than two to three times a month, interfering the normal activity, doctors may prescribe preventive medication (Prophylactic). One such preventive medicine is Janssen-Cilag’s Sibelium (Flunarizine) which is found to reduce frequency and severity of headaches when taken on regular basis.

All migraine treatment should be taken under direction of doctors familiar with migraine treatment and label instructions and doctor’s advice must be followed strictly.

Dr K. Ravishankar, Consultant In-charge of The Headache and Migraine Clinics at Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre and Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, also addressed this symposium and spoke about the diagnosis of migraine and modifying the management to suit Indian context.

Bond with liquid: A new liquid skin adhesive - DERMABOND, can now be used to close skin cuts and lacerations that would have otherwise needed sutures, staples or skin strips.

Now available in India, the new DERMABOND Skin Adhesive offers patients high strength, faster skin closure, greater comfort and excellent cosmetic results.

Approved by the US food and Drug Administration (FDA), DERMABOND adhesive is intended for local application to close easily approximated skin edges of wounds from surgical incisions, including punctures from minimally invasive surgery. It can also be used for simple, thoroughly cleansed trauma-induced lacerations.

The adhesive is appropriate for incisions in areas where the skin is not pulled or stretched (like the knuckles, elbows or knees), and where there is little or no body hair. This includes most abdominal surgeries, back surgeries, and surgeries to the face, neck, arms and legs.

In many cases, it can eliminate the need for an anaesthetic injection in would closure, thus eliminating or reducing the patient’s pain and anxiety. In addition, DERMABOND adhesive is significantly faster in closing wounds than traditional methods such as sutures.

This adhesive has also been found to be an effective method of closing surgical incisions that must first be sutured below the skin surface, as in the case of surgery. It is particularly useful in the closure of facial incisions (like on the eyelid or nose) where suture removal can be painful.

DERMABOND adhesive is applied in thin layers (a minimum of three) with a light-brushing stroke after the wound has been cleaned and its edges aproximated (manually held together so that the wound’s edges connect). As it is applied, DERMABOND adhesive reacts with moisture on the skin’s surface to form a strong flexible bond on the skin’s surface in 45 to 60 seconds and reaches full strength in approximately in two and a half minutes. As the wound heals, DERMABOND adhesive peels off from the skin, and the complete healing typically occurs in five to ten days. Patients may not need a return visit, unlike with the use of sutures or skin staples to close wounds.

Paediatricians during the ‘Healthy Baby Contest’ organised by Max Hospital, Pitampura.

Healthy beginning: The ‘Healthy Baby Contest’ organised by Max Hospital, Pitampura, last week, was a huge success with over 150 infants form North Delhi participating in the show. The contest was judged, among others by leading paediatricians, Dr Arvind Taneja and Dr P. S. Narang and Clinical Psychologist, Dr Samir Parikh.

The participants were divided into three age groups – one to six months; six to 12 months and one to three years. They were checked for overall health and development, hygiene and vaccination status. The top three winners in each group were awarded with “Stepping Stones” child life insurance policy from Max New York Life.

Later, a ‘Smart Parents Contest’ was also held to gauge parents’ skill in food planning, hygiene maintenance and providing psychological support to children.

Puneet Mehra stars for Laxman School
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, December 13
An unbeaten knock of 92, laced with ten sixes and four boundaries, off just 50 balls by Puneet Mehra, who also took two wickets for 41 runs, helped hosts Laxman Public School defeat Sardar Patel Vidyalaya by seven wickets in the Laxman Memorial International Cricket Tournament at the Laxman School ground.

Laxman School won the toss and opted to field.

Scores: Sardar Patel Vidyalaya: 209 for 7 in 30 overs (Rahul Dewan 66, Amitoz Singh 66, Ananya Sen 25, Puneet Mehra 2 for 41).

Laxman Public: 211 for 3 in 26.3 overs (Puneet Mehra 92 n o, Puneet Grewal 39).

The match between CAK Nepal and CSA, Bangladesh, scheduled to be played at the Kalindi College ground, was washed out due to rain.

Star TV advance

Star TV defeated Redeffusion by 31 runs in the fourth ESPN Star Sports Corporate Challenger Cup at the Vinay Marg ground.

Scores: Star TV: 198 for 5 in 22 overs. Redeffusion: 167 for 7 in 22 overs.

Delphi Auto win

Delhi Auto defeated Mckinsey by nine wickets in a league match of the Luminous Cup Cricket Tournament at the Airport Authority of India ground.

Scores: Mckinsey: 120 (Nishant Pant 38, Neeraj Koul 18 n o, Abraham Joseph 5 for 23, Amit Sareen 4 for 5).

Delphi: 122 for 1 in 11.2 overs (Manish Sharma 68 n o, Sumit Kumar 30 n o, Bharat Visweswariah 1 for 14). Ameet Sareen was named the man of the match.

Hughes move up in Eventus

Hughes Software Systems defeated Reebok by one run and entered the semi-final of the Eventus Cricket Tournament at the Palam ground.

Scores: Hughes: 153 for 9 in 25 overs (Jalaj Puri 36, Virender Bhandari 33, Abhilash Chopra 3 for 27, Sandeep Mathur 2 for 28).

Reebok: 152 for 7 in 25 overs (Kunal Rekhi 71, Abhilash Chopra 41 n o, Tarun Makkar 2 for 29, Rakesh Ranjan 1 for 19).