Ludhiana, July 28
Dr Kuldip Singh, Professor of Surgery at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) here was conferred “Rashtriya Rattan Award”. He was given a gold medal and a certificate of medical excellence by the International Study Circle and Institute of Economic Studies at New Delhi.

The award was presented by the Union Minister of State for Planning, Mr M.V. Rajashekaran, along with Mr G.V.G. Krishnamurthy, former Election Commissioner and Mr Bhisham Narain Singh, former Governor of Tamil Nadu and Assam, at a seminar held at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi on July 25.

According to Dr Kuldip Singh, the theme of the seminar was “Role of medical professionals and present economic scenario in the country”.

The other recipients of this award included Dr K.Talwar, Director, PGIMER, Chandigarh, Dr B.N. Rao from Hyderabad and Dr Pardeep Chowbey, Chairman, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi.

The chief guest of the function, Mr Rajashekaran, in his inaugural address, expressed his satisfaction over the economic scenario of the country. He appreciated the efforts of the government to bring poverty and unemployment under control.

He said the Budget for the 10th and 11th plan for the country was being worked out and emphasis would be laid to address the needs of the common man, as well as development in new areas.

Mr Krishnamurthy, former Election Commissioner talked about the democratic system in the country and complemented the public for their contribution to the free and fair general elections in the largest democracy of the world.

In a word of appreciation for the medical profession, he said it was due to their untiring work that the average life expectancy had shot up from 30 to 60 years within a span of 50 years. He recalled the time of pre-independence when the Indians used to look towards the west for medical aids.

Speaking at the function, Mr Bhisham Narain Singh, who had served as Governor of seven different states in the country during his long public career, admitted corruption in the various spheres of life. He gave a call to the intellectuals to take the initiative and remove the disease.

Dr Kuldip Singh, who received the honour during the seminar, is a pioneer in laparoscopic surgery in the country, having innovated and vastly contributed to the development of this specialty. He is also the recipient of FRCS 'ad euendem' from Royal College of Surgeons England as well as Punjab State Award for excellence in surgery.

He heads the Indian Association of Laproscopic Surgery, governing council member of ELSA and International Federation of Surgical Endoscopy. His innovative technique to tackle difficult gall bladder surgery brought him international recognition and he had delivered nearly 70 guest lectures in the national and international conferences.

Ludhiana, July 28
SPS Apollo Hospitals here has trained the first batch of 35 personnel of ambulance and patrolling vehicles in trauma life-support and extrication under the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).

On the conclusion of the training programme, a felicitation function was held at Doraha toll plaza, about 20 km from here, today. The trainees were awarded certificates and badges by Dr Pramod Sood, consultant, Trauma Care, Apollo Hospitals.

According to Dr Sood, the NHAI drivers received hands-on training in basic life-suport and extrication by experts in the trauma department of the hospital specialised supervision. “The training will help them extensively in transporting the injured in a safe manner to the nearest medical facility.”

Dr Sood observed that the programme was, practically, the first phase of the extensive trauma-care training, planned by the hospital all over Punjab. The required personnel will be trained and given certificates on the completion of the training as a continuous process.

Expressing concern over the alarming rise road accidents in the country, Dr Sood said for a country witnessing rapid growth in vehicle ownership and a significant rise in motoring, India’s road safety infrastructure was rudimentary and trauma care capability distressingly inadequate. “The road accidents are increasing at an annual rate of 3 per cent. In 1997, 10.1 per cent of all deaths in the country were due to accidents and injuries. A vehicular accident is reported every 3 minutes and a death every 10 minutes on Indian roads.”

He said that a majority of fatal road-traffic accident victims were pedestrians two-wheeler riders and cyclists.

Mr Jugdiep Singh, director of the hospital, said the programme had been launched as a step towards reducing percentage of deaths due to road accidents.

From SPS Apollo, Mr Venkat, operation executive, Mr Tarun Katoch and Mr Vishal Suri were also present on the occasion. The trained personnel demonstrated basic support skills and answered queries put forth by experts during the test.

Mr Majid Khan, patrolling in charge under the NHAI, coordinated the programme, which covered the area from Rajpura to Jalandhar. The next training programme in the series would cover the staff manning vehicles between Rajpura and Panipat.