HEALTH

Dermatology “most popular” speciality
Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, February 8
‘The sea changes that have taken place in the field of dermatology of late have virtually negated the traditional saying — the patient never dies, and never gets well.”

Making these observations, Dr Alka Dogra, professor and head, Department of Skin and VD in Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, here said that the concept of dermatology had undergone a sea change and attained the status of a most sought-after speciality incorporating dermato-surgery, cosmetology, pediatric dermatology, histopathology, leprology, venereology and on the top of it all ‘acute skin failure’.

She said skin being the largest organ of the body, could suffer from the condition of acute skin failure and cause variety of life-threatening diseases which could be infectious (bacterial, fungal, viral, mycobacterial), immunological, cause sever adverse drug reactions, allergic reactions, erythematosquamous disorders, AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases or genetic keratinization disorders.

She maintained that all such cases of dermatological problems were treated like other serious medical emergencies and the patient had to be put under intensive care. It should be clearly understood that the dermatologists were not spared of emergencies and such conditions in which only prompt and early recognition, diagnosis and treatment could make the difference between losing or saving the life of the patients.

“Indeed it is not unreasonable to expect that dermatologists are the first physicians to examine patients for skin diseases that are potentially life threatening, or are called for consultation about acute, severe and serious systemic diseases in which related cutaneous lesions are an essential clue to diagnosis.”

She stressed that specialists in the field of dermatology were, in fact, the first ones responsible for initial diagnosis as well as to identify a critical situation, stabilise patient, arrange for a timely and appropriate referral and select urgent and suitable intervention.

Cultural bonanza at DMCH
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 8
The cultural festivities of ‘DMCH-Ectopia 2006’ were kicked off with the release of ‘Ectopia Times’ by the Dr Daljit Singh, Principal, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, the host institution here yesterday.

The newsletter (Ectopia Times), to be published daily during the mega event, would carry the menu chart of all the events to be held during the three days festival, which gets under way on February 9 while also having regular columns on the day’s highlights and results.

According to Dr Sandeep Puri, chairman, DMCH Cultural Committee, the festival would provide budding doctors an opportunity to showcase their talent in literary events, dramatics, musical and dance competitions. He said the aim behind organising this event was to polish the talent of students and to encourage them to participate in cultural activities for their overall personality development.

Dr Navjot Bajwa, convener of DMCH Cultural Committee, said that this would be the fourth edition of Ectopia, which was an annual inter-batch cultural competition, featuring musical, dance and literary events. Dr Sunil Juneja, secretary of the committee, elaborated that new entrants in the events would include faculty antakshri, T-shirt slogan writing, collage-making and cacophony.

‘Lifestyle diseases on the rise in rural Punjab’
Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, February 8
“Contrary to popular belief, a large segment of rural population has been suffering from lifestyle diseases like diabetes and kidney disorder, both of which lead to heart problems,” said senior super-specialists after a heart and kidney disease check-up camp at the gurdwara of Baba Sarbjot Singh Bedi at Mansooran village in the district on February 6, at which at least 250 patients were examined.

According to the doctors, heart disease was fast emerging as the number one killer among Punjabis. Early detection and treatment of kidney disease were stressed upon.

A seven-day free ayurvedic and acupressure camp began at Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Kitchlu Nagar. Focus would be on patients suffering from sprain, joint pain, muscular pain and muscle pull.

SPORTS

Kuljotvir, Balinder best athletes
Anil Datt

Ludhiana, February 8
Balinder Kaur of the College of Agriculture (COA) and Kuljotvir Singh of the College of Veterinary Sciences (COVS) were adjudged best athletes among girls and boys, respectively, at the 40th annual athletics meet of Punjab Agricultural University, which concluded here today.

The College of Agriculture bagged the overall trophy while Shiv Charan Singh Bira, a former student, was honoured for promoting hockey.

Results: (boys): hammer throw: Harviner Singh of COVS 1, Tejdep Singh of COA 2; 1500m: Satnam Singh of COA 1, Manpreet Singh of COA 2, Jagjit Singh of COA 3; shot put: Bir Joginder Singh Gill of COVS 1, Gurinderpal Singh of COBSH 2, Harinder Singh of COVS 3; broad jump: Kuljitvir Singh of COVS 1, Mandeep Singh of COA 2, Jasjeet Singh of COA 3; 100m: Kujotvir Singh of COVS 1, Pavninder Singh of COA 2, Jasjeet Singh of COA 3; high jump: Mandeep Singh of COA 1, Vinod Kumar of COA 2, Jasjeet Singh of COA 3; 400m: Kuljotvir Singh of COVS 1, Harsimran Singh of COBSH 2, Sukhmeet Singh of COA 3: girls: 800m: Balinder Kaur of COA 1, Shweta Sharma of COA 2, Devinder Kaur of COHS 3; shot put: Harmeet Kaur of COA 1, Iqbal Kaur of COHS 2, Kuljit Kaur of COHS 3; 100m: Balinder Kaur of COA 1, Nisha Kaura of COHS 2, Bharti of COA 3; 200m: Balinder Kaur of COA 1, Nisha Kaura of COHS 2, Devneet Plaha of COA 3.

National handball meet from today
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, February 8
With a couple of internationals in their ranks, the hosts Punjab start as favourites in the 34th Senior National Handball Championship for men which begins at the indoor multipurpose hall of Guru Nanak Sports Complex here on February 9.

Punjab which had finished at fourth place in the last edition of the championship held at Jamshedpur the previous year, had a strenuous training schedule of more than one month here in the city. Talking to the Ludhiana Tribune, Harinder Sharma, chief coach of the Punjab squad, said that the hosts were raring to go. “The training during the last one-and-a-half months has helped the boys to improve the game. With players of high calibre and experience such as the skipper and custodian, Raghu Gorang, Mukesh Kumar, Jaswant Singh and Mohinder Singh, Punjab has the fair chance of emerging champions in this year’s edition,” Sharma said.

Meanwhile, players of as many as 12 states had arrived in the city by afternoon. The inaugural ceremony of the championship is slated for 2 pm tomorrow.

The following players have been selected to represent Punjab in this championship — Raghu Gorang (cap), Mukesh Kumar, Sukhdev Singh, Kulvinder Singh, Pawan Kumar, Charanjit, Naveen, Avtar, Sachin, Sanjay, Jaswant Singh, Baljit Singh, Gaurav, Mohinder Singh, Ramandeep Singh and Narpinder. Harinder Sharma, Vikramjit Singh and Rupinder Singh have been appointed coaches of the team.

Mr Surinder Singla, Minister for Finance and Planning, Punjab will inaugurate the championship while Mr S.S. Channi, President, PHA, will preside over the inaugural function.

Wushu players honoured
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 8
Wushu players of GAD Public School, New Shimlapuri, who won medals in the 51st National School Games held at DAV Senior Secondary School, Chandigarh, from February 3 to 6, were honoured here.

Kamalpreet Kaur, a student of class XI, won a gold medal, Tejinder Kaur of class VIII won a silver medal, Nishpreet Kaur of class VII and Mr Ravinder Singh of class VIII won a bronze medal each.

Mr Sukhwinder Singh, director of School and Mr Pardeep Yogi, general secretary, Wushu Association of Panjab, also congratulated the players and appreciated the role of school management towards the game.