Mohali, July 8
The local Civil Hospital has introduced new services for the welfare of patients, even as it has witnessed an increase in the number of patients over the past many months.

The hospital can now help patients in the early detection of cancer of the cervix, the most common cancers affecting women in India.

The early detection of this cancer was possible by performing tests such as PAP smear and colposcopy.

These tests, if performed, on all vulnerable patients who came for routine checkup in the gynae OPD, could lead to detection of a large number of hidden cervical cancer cases.

These tests were earlier available only at the PGI, Chandigarh, and Government Medical College, Sector 32, Chandigarh, but the facility is now also being offered by the local Civil Hospital.

Dr H.S. Sarang, SMO in charge of the hospital, said that other new procedures that had been introduced in the gynaecology wing of the hospital were colposcopy (for screening of cervix and adjacent structures) cryocautary of cervix endoscopic gynaecological producer (hysteroscopy diagnostic and operative laproscopy) and intrauterine insemination for treatment of infertility cases.

He claimed that certain laproscopic procedures had been adopted by the hospital which were not being carried out by other government hospitals in the state and that too at a much lesser cost.

Ortho surgery was being performed with the help of blocks instead of giving general anaesthesia to the patient.

Sarang said the hospital had received a grant of Rs 20 lakh under the National Rural Health Mission and Rs 5 lakh under the Rogi Kalyan Mission.

According to figures available at the hospital, as many as 11,434 patients had availed OPD facilities from May 26 to June 25 this year against 9,815 patient during the corresponding period last year.

Similarly, the hospital had performed 1,215 x-rays, 8,010 laboratory tests and 108 major surgeries from May 26 to June 25 this year against the figure of 976, 7253 and 82, respectively, during the corresponding period last year.

Chandigarh, July 8
Cancer is curable if detected early. Radiation, surgery and chemotherapy when used in combination help in curing of a large number of cancers in early stages. This was stated by Dr S.C. Sharma, professor and head, department of radiaotherapy, Regional Cancer Centre, PGI, here on Thursday.

Up to 95 per cent of patients of cancer of cervix and cancer of breast, the two most common cancers among women, could be cured if detected in stage I, said Dr Sharma, while interacting with mediapersons.

Even if these cancers were detected in stage II, up to 80 per cent of the cases were curable, said Dr Sharma.

Suggesting the need for early detection for cure and prevention of this disease, Dr Sharma said unfortunately in India, a majority of the patients were in an advanced stage of their disease, where cure was not possible and most of the patients only achieved palliation.

Commented on the scenario in the country, Dr Sharma said 50 per cent of the cancers seen in the county were preventable because they were related to lifestyle.

Women suffer more commonly from cancer than men in India.

Women form almost 52 per cent of total cancers seen. Cancer of the head and neck and lung are most common among males while cancer of the cervix and the breast are common among females.

The pattern of cancer has been changing in the country over the last decade.

The incidence of gastrointestinal cancer is increasing among both sexes and the incidence of cancer of breast is increasing and is the commonest cancer among females in urban areas.

Chandigarh, July 8
An Australian delegation will meet officials of the Chandigarh administration and the Haryana Cricket Association on July 13 to discuss the upcoming one-day international (ODI) cricket match. The match will be played between India and Australia at the Sector 16 Cricket Stadium, here on October 8.

GM cricket operations Michael Brown, team manager Stephan Bernard, cricket manager Geoff Allardice and security manager Reginald Dickson will be part of the delegation.

Meanwhile, secretary of the Haryana Cricket Association Ranbir Singh Mahendra held a meeting with UT administration officials yesterday to review preparations and arrangements for the ODI. The officials who attended the meeting included chief engineer V.K. Bhardwaj, director sports I.S. Sandhu and director public relations Vivek Atray.

Meanwhile, the Chandigarh administration has called tenders for the electronic true colour LED display board. According to sources, the tenders will be opened on August 23.