 |
|
|
|
|
||||
Kidney transplant patients in search of funds Chandigarh, April 19 Despite being one of the many patients in line for financial aid, they are different because they are in the city from their native states, living at the Rotary Serai at the PGIMER complex to muster finances for undergoing a second kidney transplant at the institute. A failed kidney transplant due to infection has brought them right back in search of finances and it is this bond that ties both families together. Plagued by infection and undergoing dialysis at the Department of Nephrology, the two are hoping they will be lucky a second time. Tarkeshwar's wife can't stop crying while her only son attends to his father. Says Tarkeshwar, "I underwent a transplant in December 2003 and by January 2006 I suffered a second renal failure. My son will donate his kidney to me but organising finances is a big handicap. In fact, he missed his Board exams to accompany me to the city. The rest of the family, three daughters and a son, are back home waiting for good news. I don't know how long we will need to stay here." While his mother had agreed to donate her kidney for 42-year-old Tarkeshwar, she was dropped since age was not on her side and there were greater chances of an early failure. "Our relatives have turned away from us. They don't want us, they don't want our children. We are practically orphans in this whole wide world. For the past 10 days my husband hasn't undergone dialysis because we have no money for buying an injection," the wife weeps. Pramod Kumar whose nearly nine-month pregnant wife and old mother have come all the way from UP for a second transplant, have a similar sorry tale to narrate. This one is also about a renal transplant funded by selling off everything they had, plus a lot of contributions from philanthropists, but it seems they need more. His wife has gone to her brother for delivery, while Pramod will be on dialysis till she returns and donates her kidney which will get him back on his feet. "Infection after the first transplant has brought me back for a second one. This will happen only if we are able to generate finances — a whopping Rs 1 lakh —for the transplant. Now, we don't have even a penny to spare since the amount we do have is being diverted for dialysis," he says. However, the Head of Department of Nephrology, Dr Vivekanand Jha, says transplants are not a very good idea for patients who do not have enough funds at their disposal. "We are able to perform a transplant only on 5 per cent of the patients who come to us because money is a constraint with them. Even for those undergoing a transplant, a lot has to be spent on medicines for keeping it intact which most of them can't afford. Owing to this, infection sets in and they come to us for a second transplant," he states. Only 70 per cent patients undergoing a transplant survive for about five years while 50 per cent live for about 10 years. Since a patient needs medicine worth Rs 15,000 for a few months post-operation and Rs 6000 for every subsequent month, the cost is exorbitant and poor patients. Most patients, thus, choose to hang around in search of funds to buy their monthly stock of medicines as well. "Unlike other surgeries, a transplant is the beginning of expenses and patients must understand that a kidney transplant does not end with a surgery. When they don't have finances, they are put on primitive medicines which can't contain the spread of infection and they end up being in a worse position healthwise," Dr Jha explains. While all this maybe true and fact-based, the reality is that these two families are now in dire straits and need money immediately for a second transplant. They are hoping they'll be lucky a second time and the Department of Nephrology will give provide succor from the suffering. |
Chandigarh, Mohali win Sushil Bali matches Chandigarh, April 19 In reply of 308, Jalandhar scored 209 with the help of Robin Thapar (61), Karan (32) and Mandeep (32). Rohan Chara 5 for 46 and Gurinder 3 for 75 were the main wicket takers. In another match between Mohali and Sangrur at PCA Stadium, Mohali, the Sangrur team lost to Mohali. In its first innings, Sangrur scored 110 all out in 49 overs. In reply, Mohali scored 287 for 2 in 74 overs. On the second day’s play, Sangrur bundled out at 225 in 57 overs. At the end of the day’s play, Mohali batsmen were playing on 52 for 3 in 7.2 overs. Mohali won the match by five runs and an innings. Brief score: Sangrur: (1st innings): 110 all out in 49 overs. Mohali: 287 for 2 in 74 overs Sangrur: (2nd innings): 225 all out in 57 overs (Gurdarshan 33, Lovepreet 77, Raj Kamal 40, Anurag 2 for 38 and Abhilash 6 for 45). Mohali: 52 for 3 in 7.2 overs (Sachin Sohal 23 and Abhilash 20). Inter-battalion meet The 30 Battalion team thrashed the 5th Signal Battalion team in the finals of the CRPF Inter-Battalion North Western Sector (OPS) Units Volleyball Tournament, which concluded on the CRPF campus, Sector 43, on Wednesday. The tournament was organised by 134 Battalion. Later, Mr D.P. Sinha, Additional Director-General, North Zone, who was the chief guest, gave away prizes. Gymnastics body The following have been unanimously elected office-bearers of the SAS Nagar District Gymnastics Association. President — Mr Pritam Singh Kumedian; vice-president — Mr Darshan Singh Mann; honorary secretary — Mr Dilawar Singh Cheema; joint secretary — Mr N. Dutta; and treasurer — Dr Satpal Kaur Kalsi. Boxing association The following have been unanimously elected office-bearers of the District Amateur Boxing Association, SAS Nagar. President — Mr Sukhdev Singh Dindsa; honorary secretary — Mr G.S. Sarao; and treasurer — Mr Parmod Singh Negi. The association has authorised Mr Sarao to nominate other office-bearers. Sports award City-based internationally acclaimed volleyball player Sanjay Kumar has been selected for the Bhim Award, which is the highest state sports award for achieving excellence in sports. The award will be given by the Haryana Sports Department on April 25. These days, Sanjay Kumar is attending a camp in Bangalore for Indian team’s participation in the Doha Asian Games. Basketball meet Amanjot Singh of New Public School, Chandigarh, was declared best player in the 16th Afzal Khan Basketball Tournament played at Doon School, Dehra Dun, recently. Twelve teams from all over India participated. In the final tie, New Public School beat Doon School 51-23.
|
|
Down but not out Chandigarh, April 19 Only the third amateur in the history of the Hero Honda Golf Tour to win a pro tournament, his achievements are the testimony to the fact that he has shown his mettle in rising to the occasion. However, hopes of hat trick this year seem dim. His performance is not really
up to the mark in the ongoing Hero Golf Championships, said experts. “There was a bit of pressure on me initially but I am confident of settling into a rhythm. I am certain of finishing the tournament with a reasonably good position,” said Harinder. Coming from a very humble family, Harinder, a resident of Gorakhpur, was brought to Chandigarh to study nine years ago by his brother. Today, he has acquired a reputation of being one of the most talented young golfers in the nation. “I started my career as a caddie. Nonetheless, I wanted to be on the other side, but money was always a predicament for players like me. A local tournament costs nothing less than Rs 10,000 and a foreign trip expense comes around Rs 50,000 to 60,000.” Indebted to the Chandigarh Golf Club, he said he started the game by collecting Rs 6,000 from his earnings and bought a secondhand golf set. “That’s how the things moved on. Senior professional golfers extended all help to players like me and I cannot forget the golf fraternity who has played a major role in shaping my career,” he said. Preparing to participate in the Asian Tour meet, Harinder is all set to prove his worth. “I am looking forward to participate in the Amby Valley Philippines Open Tournament in Manila in May and the Thailand Open Golf Tournament at Lake View Golf Resort in June. Without the active support and sponsorship of the HSBC, this trip would not have been possible,” said the golfer. These days Jesse Grewal is assisting him in enhancing his skills. |
|
Another CLTA lad selected for Junior Davis Cup Chandigarh, April 19 Vijyant will represent the country along with Shriram Balaji (Tamil Nadu) and Venkat Aiyar (New Delhi) at the Asia-Oceania Group Junior Davis Cup Tournament to be held in Malaysia from May 1 to 7. Elated over his achievement, the 10+2 student of DAV Public School, Sector 8, Vijyant said: “I am determined to put up a good show in Malaysia.” Vijyant, who has been hailing from Panipat, was adopted by the CLTA in its Chandigarh Academy for Rural Tennis (CHART) scheme in 2001. Under the aegis of the CLTA, the 16-year-old player brought laurels to the academy as well as the city. He was the winner of the AITA Super Series (u-14 and u-16), 2004 and 2005. He bagged the silver at School Nationals Doubles’ Event and the bronze in singles at Surat in 2003. Apart from winning the Chandigarh State Championship Boys (u-14), he remained semifinalist at the AITA Talent Series (u-18) held in Chandigarh in 2003. Giving credit of his achievements to the CLTA and his school, Vijyant thanked the school management for its full support. |
|
600 students to attend camp
Chandigarh, April 19 As many as 600 students from of the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan will participate in it. The event will be inaugurated tomorrow at 10 am.
TNS |
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
