The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Hospital launches project for the poor
Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, August 16
Dewan Hospital and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery Centre here launched a community service project - Asra to provide free medical and surgical facilities to the economically weaker sections of society to mark the 60th anniversary of the independence of India.

Formally launching the project at a function yesterday, Harish Rai Dhanda, chief parliamentary secretary, termed the initiative of the hospital as a great service to the underprivileged people. He said if each and every doctor realised his duty to the society and made a bid to make some contribution to alleviate the suffering of the mankind, the poor patients will no longer be left to suffer in silence.

Speaking on the occasion, director of the hospital Dr Narotam Dewan said the project was aimed at providing benefit of free surgical treatment to all those poor who were identified by the government under its "atta-dal" scheme introduced on Aug 15.

The hospital, he added, will offer free consultation to atta-dal card holders. Those in need of surgical treatment will be admitted to the hospital free of cost, and all laboratory and other diagnostic tests will also be carried out without any charges. Surgical procedures on such patients will be performed free but the patients will have to arrange the medicines at their own level.

The free surgical procedures to be made available under the project will include treatment of hernia, piles, hydrocele, varicose veins, lymph node biopsy, excision of superficial lumps, drainage of abscess and removal of gall bladder, uterus or breast. The facility would be available only to clean cases without serious or associated problems, pointed out Dr Dewan.

Fortis to open first rural retail outlet in Mandi Ahmedgarh
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 16
Fortis HealthWorld (FHWL), the one stop healthcare retail chain, has initiated its plans to reach rural India by starting first FHWL health stores in Mandi Ahmedgarh in Sangrur district soon.

This store will be the first of many such stores that the FHWL plans to open in rural India through its tie up with Hariyali Kisaan Bazaar, a unit of DCM Shriram Consolidated Ltd (DSCL).

By setting up these health stores in conjunction with the Hariyali Kisaan Bazaar, the FHWL aims to empower rural India, mainly the farming community, by fulfilling all health needs under one roof.

Making this announcement here today, Ashish Kirpal Pandit, CEO, Fortis HealthWorld, said the project had been initiated with the intention of reaching out to the remotest corner of rural India and providing the best of products and services to the farmers and their families.

The chain of health stores to be set up in rural India will provide the facilities of OPD (consultation by a doctor), telemedicine, routine pathology tests collection centre (SRL Ranbaxy), prescription, OTC, alternate (ayurvedic and homeopathic) medicines and also veterinary medicines, in addition to a wide range of fast moving health goods and support systems.

Pandit further remarked, "This alliance with DSCL Hariyali Kisaan Bazaar was an integral part of the commitment of the group for providing world class pharmacy and allied services to rural India. "Quality services ranging from doctor's consultation, well stocked pharmacy with genuine medicines, pathology tests and telemedicine will now be available under one roof and will be within the reach of the rural population. We are sure that through this alliance, we will be able to provide cutting edge pharma products and services to the people of Ahmedgarh to begin with."

FHWL, he added, will leverage the already operational and successful 70 outlets of the Hariyali Kisaan Bazaars across India. The reach will be further strengthened with the next 200 outlets that DCM Hariyali plans to set up in different parts of the country within the next 15 months.

For continuous healthcare support and consultation, the farmers will also have the option of using the telemedicine facility at all these stores. "An ailing farmer can now avail the expert advice of specialised healthcare experts and doctors from Fortis Hospitals," stated the Fortis CEO.

SAI trials on Aug 21, 22
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, August 16
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) will conduct selction trials for admission of volleyball players (boys) for its training centre, scheduled to restart here at the multi-purpose sports complex near Guru Nanak Stadium on August 21 and 22.

The trials will be held to enrol the new entrants for residential scheme for the session 2007-08.

According to Harbans Singh, in charge, SAI Training Centre, Ludhiana, players who have secured the first three positions in the state and national level tournaments in the age group from 14 to 19 years are eligible to appear for these trials.

The selected players will be provided all facilities like boarding, lodging, coaching, sports kit, life insurance cover and limited competition exposure as per the SAI scheme norms for all the regular inmates.

Interested players are advised to report on August 21 at 8 am at the venue to Harbans Singh with two passport-sized photographs, original and photocopies of date of birth certificates duly attested. The aspirants will have to arrange for their own stay during the trials and no TA/DA will be provided, Singh added.