HEALTH

Private hospitals urged to provide free TB treatment
Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, March 24
Ludhiana TB Eradication Society and the Ludhiana Nursing Home and Hospital Association have made a strong plea with all private hospitals in the city to set up DOT centres for detection and free treatment of tuberculosis (TB), which was assuming threatening proportions in the industrial hub of the state.

A meeting of the prominent medical professionals, convened by the two bodies at Nauhria Hospital here yesterday on the eve of World TB Day apprehended that in the absence of effective measures against the highly contagious disease, rampant among the migrant population here, the people would face a serious threat to their health.

Dr Satish Nauhria, who heads both the associations, urged all the private medical institutions to offer free diagnostic facilities and treatment to poor and needy TB patients in the city. Dr Narotam Diwan remarked that the city was virtually sitting on a ticking time bomb of TB and it was high time that everybody joined hands, pooled resources and launch a decisive battle against the disease.

Dr Nauhria announced that the Ludhiana TB Eradication Society had set up a DOT centre at Diwan Hospital as well, where free TB detection and treatment will be provided, as per the WHO guidelines and ‘Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme’.

Dr R.K. Sharma exhorted the medical professionals and the members of public to come together so as to eradicate the dreaded diseases and make Ludhiana a TB-free city. He also stressed on the need for holding seminars to educate the masses and create awareness about TB.

According to Dr Arun Mitra, TB was not only a health problem but it was also a social, economic and political matter.

It manifested itself wherever there was negligence, exploitation, illiteracy and wide spread violation of human rights.

Prominent among others present at the meeting were Dr Rajiv Gupta, Dr D.P. Singh, Dr B.S. Shah, Dr Manoj Sobti, Dr Kulwant, Dr Naveen Sikka and Dr Harsh Sharma.

SPORTS

Team India’s poor show saddens fans
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 24
Hundreds and thousands of cricket fans in the city were disappointed with the Team India's poor performance against Sri Lanka last night which led to its defeat by 69 runs, thus knocking it out of the World Cup.

Though young fans are blaming the team for not putting in their best efforts during the game, the parents, on other hand, heaved a sigh of relief that now their wards would whole-heartedly concentrate on their studies as their exams are fast approaching.

Manjinder Singh, a student of SCD Government College, here said India's team had shattered all the hopes. He said cricket has always been a favourite game for Indians.

"Lakhs of fans were busy organising yagyas and prayers for winning the do-or-die match against Sri Lanka but the team had disappointed the whole country," he said.

Another student of Khalsa College for Women, Deepali Sharma said countrymen, to an extent, were responsible for this defeat.

She said people in India start worshipping cricketers like God. They became their heroes and role models.

"They start minting money by doing advertisements for various companies.

“When money becomes no problem, why should they concentrate on the game. When country provides them every facility, excellent coaching, the players must realise their responsibility. There is no charm in the World Cup now," she added.

An ardent fan of cricket in his early 80s, Dev Bhalla said best way to teach them (players) a lesson was to ban the players from playing international cricket for at least two years.

"They have brought shame to the country. New teams like Bangladesh and Bermuda can play well than India, whose players are so experienced. We are also responsible for pampering them too much", he said.

While Madhu Garg, a homemaker, said the best team deserved to be at the top.

"No player plays for losing the game. I believe that much depends on stars also. If they are favourable, you succeed otherwise you suffer. But I am happy that those having exams will concentrate on their studies. My son has to prepare for several entrance tests, thank God that the cricket fever has now vanished," said Garg.

As if it was not enough, the mobile companies have come up with the messages like: "You are cordially invited to the ‘mundan’ ceremony of Indian cricket team at the international airport. Please bring chappals, tomato, eggs along with sticks and pistols!"