The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Free cardiac, medical camp
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 2
A free heart and medical camp was organised at Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Model Town Extension, here yesterday under the aegis of Guru Gobind Singh Charitable Dispensary. The camp, arranged by Dr IPS Chhabra, witnessed participation by some of the leading members of the medical fraternity which included cardiologist Dr GS Wander, general physician Dr MPS Sidana, paediatrician Dr SS Bedi, skin specialist Dr RS Nanda, eye specialist Dr Jagrup Singh and endocrinologist Dr Ramanbir Singh.

More than 500 patients were examined for cardiac ailments and diabetes and those with underlying symptoms of any of these diseases were advised comprehensive medical check-up and other diagnostic tests. Those present at the camp were also given dietary counselling and advice on minor lifestyle changes.

Speaking on the need to organise such camps on a regular basis, Dr Chhabra said such camps proved very effective in bringing super-specialist medical services within the reach of everyone. "There are many occasions when timely and trustworthy medical advice can prove to be lifesaver for patients. But due to the high costs involved, the patients, at times, are unable to access super specialists."

He said this was especially true in the case of India where the cost factor deterred many patients from going for advanced medical help.

But many diseases keep developing without showing any visible external signs.

The most common examples of such conditions were hypertension or diabetes, as their chances of developing undetected and causing serious medical complications were very high.

Interacting with the patients, Dr GS Wander, Chief Cardiologist and Coordinator of Hero DMC Heart Institute, remarked that high blood pressure and diabetes often occurred together, and if left untreated, these could lead to serious consequences.

"If you have diabetes, you're much more likely to have a stroke, heart disease, or a heart attack. But you can cut your chances of having these problems by taking special care of your heart and blood vessels. And the earlier one is able to seek advice on such care, the better are the chances of effective medical management," added Dr Wander.

Private hospitals form joint front
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 2
The private nursing homes and hospitals in the city have come together on a single platform under the banner of Ludhiana Nursing Homes and Hospitals Association, which would strive to set new standards of patient care and take up other issues related to the medical fraternity.

Dr Satish Nauhria and Dr Narotam Dewan, president and general secretary, respectively, of the association claimed that the private institutions were providing medical and health services to nearly 50 per cent of the patients in the city and surrounding areas.

They said the need was being felt to bring all nursing homes and hospitals under one umbrella, so that these could become centres of excellence with joint efforts and stand united to maintain medical ethics and combat increasing attacks on doctors and private medical institutions.

According to Dr Dewan, among other objectives of the association were creating liaison between the government and the medical fraternity, extending emergency medical and surgical facilities during disasters and natural calamities, meeting the challenges posed by quackery and other malpractices, organising seminars, workshops, clinical meetings and fighting against the evil of female foeticide.

The association was working out a scheme under which the private nursing homes would provide highly subsidised and even free medical care to the economically weaker sections of society on a regular basis through collective efforts, Dr Dewan added.