Ludhiana, July 1
A difficult surgery was performed at Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMC&H) recently where doctors from the paediatric surgery successfully removed a big litchi seed stuck in the right bronchus of a 25-year-old patient.

Nirmala Devi delivered a baby girl at Pathankot on June 14 and started experiencing breathing problems and convulsions on June 18.

These symptoms were thought to be related to her delivery. Her condition deteriorated and she was referred to the CMC, Ludhiana, on June 20.

At the CMC, she was initially given symptomatic treatment but with minimal improvement.

Thereafter, she underwent a diagnostic flexible bronchoscopy on June 27. A litchi seed was seen during this procedure. It was decided by all the doctors that she should undergo a safe removal of the seed with a rigid bronchoscope (instrument).

A team of doctors, including an anaesthetist as well as the paediatric surgery team led by Dr. V.P. Singh and comprising Dr. William Bhatti and Dr. Dhruv Ghosh, performed a safe removal of this big litchi seed which was stuck in the opening of the right bronchus (main portion of the wind pipe).

Ludhiana, July 1
The Ludhiana branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) today reiterated its pledge to reach out to the community to create health awareness among the public.

At a function, organised at IMA House here to mark Doctors’ Day, a plantation drive was launched and a free medical camp was organised.

Y.C. Markan, director, Punjab Health Systems Corporation, who was the chief guest, planted a sapling.

A team of doctors examined the patients for diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiac ailments at the free medical camp. The camp was held in coordination with the Punjab Medical Representatives Association.

Speaking on the occasion, Markan lauded the role of IMA in creating health awareness among the public while saying that it was the duty of the doctors to go to the people. He also stressed upon the need to strengthen doctor-patient relationship.

IMA president Arun Mitra said the association would launch a health awareness drive for the protection from the infectious seasonal diseases like dengue and gastroenteritis that were common in these weather conditions.

More than 400 patients were examined at the camp and facilities of free ECG and other laboratory tests were provided by Kulwant Heart Centre.

Tributes were paid to B.C. Roy, on whose birthday the day is celebrated all over the country, at a function organised at Ludhiana Neuro and Trauma Centre (LNTC).

Prominent doctors from the city attended the function in which Daljit Singh Cheema, adviser to the Chief Minister, was felicitated.

Welcoming the chief guest, Naresh Kalra, one of the directors of the LNTC, dwelt upon the achievements of Cheema.

Addressing the function, Gursharan Singh, a member of the governing council of the national IMA, highlighted the plight of the medical community. In this context, he mentioned the ruling of the apex court which provided that no doctor could be booked under criminal penal code. He demanded that the proposed special committees to look into the matter of medical negligence at district level, which was initiated during the previous regime, be given a practical shape.

Cheema assured the medical community that he would try his level best to get the long-standing demands of doctors fulfilled. At the same time, he stressed that the doctors should also add element of humanity in the treatment and try to give maximum concession to the needy patients.

On the occasion, the local branch of the National Integrated Medical Association (NIMA) organised its 31st free diabetes detection and diabetic neuropathy screening camp at Gupta Clinic in Shivpuri.

According to NIMA secretary Surendra Gupta, nearly 250 persons were screened for diabetes and 140 detected with high blood sugar level were further checked for blood pressure, urine test for confirmed diagnosis at the camp.

Team of doctors, led by Raman Bir Singh, endocrinologist at SPS Apollo Hospital, provided follow up advice and dietary guidance to the high risk cases.

Surendra Gupta, Rajesh Thapar, Inder Sharma, Sarjivan Sharma, Sanjiv Jain and Ramesh Madaan lent their services for conducting the medical check up and rendering treatment to the patients.

Ludhiana, July 1
Dr Michel Henry, a world renowned interventional cardiologist from France visited Hero DMC Heart Institute (HDHI) yesterday for an academic interaction.

At the HDHI, the visiting cardiologist carried out complicated cases of carotid angioplasty including stenting and discussed the recent advances in this field with a team of cardiologists at the institute comprising Dr G.S. Wander, Dr Naresh Sood, Dr Bishav Mohan and Dr Naved Aslam.

Speaking on the occasion, he said many elderly people, who experience leg pain when they walk, numbness in feet or cramps and muscle fatigue in the legs, might be suffering from "peripheral vascular disease" (PVD). It is a common, but under-diagnosed condition affecting many people.

Elaborating on it, Dr Henry said, "The more people know about the disease, the greater chances are of preventing disability and serious consequences, including stroke.”

He further added, PVD is caused by blocked arteries in the leg that reduce the blood flow so that the surrounding muscles do not get enough oxygen. This causes the leg muscles to cramp and pain upon walking or exercise which disappears on resting.

He pointed out, people with lower leg PVD might often have the same type of fatty build up in the arteries supplying the heart, brain, and kidney. This means that they were at a higher risk of stroke, heart disease, and kidney failure.

"People with PVD are also more likely to have diabetes, and hypertension. Unfortunately, many people with the early symptoms of PVD, especially leg pain on walking, assume that this is just part of getting older and do not seek medical attention until they become severely debilitated."

Mandi Ahmedgarh, July 1
While it’s still ambigious who will be the next President, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, MP and SAD secretary general, is in praise of Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

Appreciating the role of Dr Abdul Kalam as one of those presidents who did not act as “rubber stamp” of any political party, Dhindsa alleged the congress party had opposed third morcha's move to launch him (Kalam) as a candidate for the post as its leaders wanted to bring another “dummy” president.

While talking to the Ludhiana Tribune after addressing a public function at Bhogiwal village near here today Dhindsa recollected that Dr Kalam had refused to succumb to the pressure of leaders of constituent parties of UPA government.

“Though majority of political parties and resident of the country wanted to see Dr Kalam as president again, the congress insisted on the candidature of Pratibha Patil even after levelling of number of serious allegations against here. This shows that the party leadership is afraid that other candidate will not live upto their expectations,” said Mr Dhindsa.

Accusing the congress of exploiting Dera Sacha Sauda issue for harnessing political mileage Dhindsa claimed the SAD government was only concerned with maintaining appeasing a particular community or section.

“As the case registered against Gurmit Ram Rahim has been referred to a court of law, we can not interfere in it. The religious part of the issue is to be seen by the authorities at Akal Takhat,” argued Dhindsa.

Earlier Dhindsa distributed grants worth Rs 48 lakh to civic bodied of 72 villages of Malerkotla sub division. The grants will be utilised towards projects for supplying drinking water in their respective areas. 60 sewing machines were distributed to the needy women for their self employment.