Ludhiana, June 26
More than 300 police personnel were examined for cardiac and dental problems at a free medical check-up camp organised by Hero DMC Heart Institute (HDHI) at police lines here yesterday.
Mr A.S. Rai, SSP, while inaugurating the camp remarked that the staff were the most valuable resource of the police force. Their health, safety and well-being were critical to the ability to deliver the services which society needed and expected. “Sickness has a major impact on efficiency in terms of absence, additional overtime costs and stress for staff (as also their families). Therefore, we have initiated several steps to keep our staff fit.”
The camp was preceded by a health awareness lecture by Dr G.S. Wander, chief cardiologist at HDHI. He said basic preventive health care services should be an integral part of an equitable, comprehensive health care plan, accessible to all. “By focusing on prevention, we can have a major impact on people’s health. The factors which increase the risk of this disease are: high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, excess weight (obesity), diabetes, smoking, less physical activity and stressful life style.”
Dr Wander mentioned that if the above mentioned risk factors were to be detected timely, one was advised to have a health check up done at least annually. Most of the risk factors did not produce any symptom and people were not likely to know or judge their blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar values, unless these were checked.
He said high blood pressure was present in two out of 10 adults while high blood cholesterol and sugar were seen in 1-2 out of every 10 adults. These risk factors were quite common and needed to be detected in time through annual health check up.
Dr B.S. Nagpal, SMO, police hospital, who co-ordinated the camp, said that the DMCH and HDHI had promised to hold such check up camps routinely for police personnel.
The police personnel were given a thorough check-up by Dr G.S. Wander, along with his team of doctors and supporting staff. Diagnostic tests like echocardiography, ECG, cholesterol, creatinine and sugar was performed free of cost. The dietician, Ms Harsimrat, gave diet consultation while Dr Baljeet Singh Hora rendered dental consultation and follow-up advice. Free medicines were also distributed among the patients at the camp.
