The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

BODY & MIND
Put quacks in the dock: DMA
Tripti Nath

The Delhi Medical Association has critically examined the notification issued by the Medical Council of India in the Gazette of India with regard to the character of physician. The regulation prohibits a person qualified in any other system of medicine from practising the modern system of medicine or surgery. The DMA is of the view that the regulation does not specify any punitive action against either quacks or the doctors from other systems of medicine, who are practising modern medicine.

“The regulation is not as stringent as it should be because it does not spell out any deterrent punishment, says Dr Anil Gupta, President elect, DMA. The regulation under the head Code of Medical Ethics reads, “No person other than a doctor having qualification recognised by the Medical Council of India and registered with Medical Council of India/State Medical Council(s) is allowed to practice modern system of medicine or surgery. A person obtaining qualification in any other system of medicine is now allowed to practise modern system of medicine in any form.”

While drawing attention to the MCI Act, 1956, Dr Bansal said that only MBBS doctors were eligible for the registration with the State Medical Council or the MCI and only the registered doctors could practise the modern system of medicine.

In 1971, the Ayurvedic Board introduced BAMS (Bachelor of Integrated Medicine and Surgery) to practise allopathy. This course lasted about four years. Under pressure from the government, they were forced to revert to BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery).

“We are not against Ayurvedic or homeopathic practitioners. We are against the quackery. Persons are practising by displaying various degrees as MBBS (BIO), MBBS (A), PMP (Private Medical Practitoners), Bengali Doctor, BAMS (MD) and playing with the lives of patients.’’

Health meet

Dr Ravinder K. Tuli, Consultant, Holistic Medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital is of the view that a judicious synergy of various system of medicine is important because no system is complete.

Speaking on ‘Spritual dimensions of health’ at Sri Aurobindo Society here last Saturday, Dr Tuli said that while making use of the advances in modern medicine, one must not lose sight of the heritage of traditional medicine developed over thousands of years.

Dr Tuli drew attention to the fact that although average longevity (now 65) has more than doubled since Independence, the quality of life has deteriorated.

He stressed that the need for adding life to years and not just years to life. “We should make lives more enjoyable, healthy and meaningful.’’ He said that the health care delivery system of modern medicine worldwide has worked under the WHO definition that health is a state of positive, physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease. Advances in medicine have been trying to comply with the defined parameters.

“WHO had mooted the concept of Health for All by year 2000. But, in 1985, the World Health Assembly decided to add spiritual well being to the definition.”

He said that the health care infrastructure, which has developed worldwide on the basis of this definition does not take into account the spiritual dimension, the ancient system of medicine including Ayurveda, Yoga, Chinese, Tibetan, Greek have focussed on restoring health through the spiritual well being of a person. “Spiritual means managing the spirit - the basic factor of our life force, which is prana in Indian system, called chi in the Chinese or the pneuma in Greek. Spirit remains in a state of well-being if we are good human beings. Most of the diseases today result from the lifestyle disorder or negative emotions.

Traditional systems of medicine advocate a disciplined lifestyle as human beings are an extension of the nature and ought to remain in harmony with the nature for positive well-being.

Dr Tuli helped Indraprastha Apollo hospital to set up the department of holistic medicine six years ago. “In the last five years, the concept of holistic medicine has caught on. Considering the merits and limitations of the modern medicine, I try to make up the inadequacy. In chronic ailments, patients would be given the option of trying holistic treatment.’’

Citing an instance, he says that a person who has blood pressure is recommended a drug, which delays progression of the disease. But, it has side effects. No drug is harmless. Drugs considered safe ten years ago are found to be unsafe today.

Dr Tuli says that in his practice in the last 32 years, he has found that a person with essential hypertension, which has no underlying cause has benefitted by resorting to the holistic treatment. “If such a patient comes to us, we go into the detailed lifestyle of the individual, his personal habits as use of tobacco, alcohol, smoking, food habits, his body weight, personality type, exercise. If necessary, we use acupuncture to control blood pressure and help him modify his lifestyle. At the same time, we discourage him for adopting a drug reliant course. We treat the individual - body, mind and spirit by natural means as far as possible. Invariably, patients who fall to our lot are patients who have got the best medical advice in the world, they have not recovered. They come to us late and we are able to restore their health,’’ he claims.

Unique device

Quanterra, a Russian health care company recently announced the launch of Quanterra Quantum Therapy Device, which removes not only the manifestation of the disease but also its causes. It is based on the use of natural medical forces similar to natural factors. It develops the constant weak magnetic field similar to the field of the earth, an infra red spectrum of a sunlight and whole light scale.

The preventive influence of the device on an organism activates a microcirculation, harmonises a metabolism, and starts the latent reserve opportunities at the level of one cell and at a level of the whole organism.

The company claims that the device has been used worldwide to cure more than 200 diseases including angina, arthritis, asthma, gynaecological disorders and heart diseases.

Developed after 15 years of research and brainstorming at the labs of Quantum Medicine Association by a team of scientists led by Professor Mikhail Kaplan, the device can be used at home with any other system of medicine.

Priced at Rs 29,751, the device will be retailed through Quanterra’s distribution and marketing agents in India. Treatment is spread over a few sessions ranging from five to 25 minutes.

More funds mooted for health, education
Vipin Sharma

Rohtak, May 11
The Haryana Government will give due emphasis to health and education in the state annual plan. This was stated here today by the Haryana State Planning Board vice-chairman, Mr Rajesh Sharma, while interacting with mediapersons.

He said the Chautala government was bound to provide quality medical services to the people of the state. With a view to strengthen the health services, more funds would be provided to the Health Department.

He said all health institutions, including the various health centres would be strengthen.

Referring to the education system, Rajesh Sharma, son of the former Haryana Chief Minister, Pt. Bhagwat Dayal Sharma, underlined the need for improving school education in the state.

The state planning board would recommend the allocation of more funds to the Education Department, so as to open more school and colleges and upgrade the existing ones, especially in the rural areas.

He alleged that it the AICC had deserted him by denying him the party ticket from Yamunanagar and there was no likelihood of him rejoining the Congress.

Lashing out at the president of the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee, Mr Bupinder Singh Hooda, Rajesh Sharma described him as an unreliable person.

He reiterated that he might contest against the HPCC president from his home constituency of Kiloi.

Responding to a question, the planning board vice-chairman denied the allegation that this coveted post was given to him as a result of a pre-poll bargain.

Sharma expressed his willingness to strive for the development of Beri constituency as it was the birthplace of his father.

The programme was chaired by HUJ(i) district president, Mr Virender Singh Chauhan. Former state president Mr Somnath Sharma presented a memento to the guest. The HUJ(i) state secretary, Dr Satish Tyagi, proposed the motion of thanks. Former MLA from Beri Dr Virender Pal and advocate Shiv Sharma were also present on the occasion.

SPORTS

SAI to hold selection trials for coaching schemes
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, May 11
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) will hold selection trials to induct boys and girls (upto 21 years of age) in the STC-Delhi Schemes for hostel/day boarding and academies schemes in the following disciplines: Archery (men and women), boxing (men and 0women), badminton, table tennis, shooting, volleyball, hockey (women), judo, wushu, lawn tennis, kabaddi (women) and wrestling (men and women).

SAI administrator Manmeet S Goindi said the selected players of day boarding and academies will be provided stipend of Rs 5000 plus sports kit worth Rs 1500 and competition exposure worth Rs 1500 for a period of one year. He said the that selected players of the hostel scheme will be provided free lodging and boarding, sports kit worth Rs 3000, competition exposure worth Rs 3000, education expenses of Rs 1000, medical expenses of Rs 300, insurance for Rs 100 and other expenses of Rs 100 for a period of one year.

The eligibility criteria for Category-I (automatic admission) are: players who are members of winning and runners-up teams at national/State level or players, who have participated in national tournaments in the last two years will be inducted directly, but subject to their production of certificates in original.

In the Category II section, players who are members of winning/runners-up teams of district level/national CBSE competitions/National Kendriya Vidyalayas or have represented the district in State-level tournaments or having been found to have the required potential will be considered for admission under the scheme.

The best players of district/school level competitions with extraordinary height will be given added weightage.

Interested boys and girls can collect application forms from STC-Delhi office. The application forms should accompany passport size photographs, attested Photostat copies of the certificates and sports achievements of the preceding three years.

Those who are employed should attach no objection certificates from their employers. The application forms should reach the Administrator, STC-Delhi and Centre of Excellence, Sports Authority of India, Yamuna Velodrome, Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi on May 20. Telefax: 3392547.

The trials will be held at the following stadiums: Archery (women and men): Indira Gandhi indoor stadium ground; May 27 and 28 (from 9 am to 4 pm); Boxing: IG Stadium (May 21 to 24; weighing-in, May 21); Badminton: IG Stadium; May 21 to 23 (3 pm to 7 pm); Table Tennis: IG Stadium; May 21 to 23 (3 pm to 7 pm); Shooting: shooting range, IG Stadium; May 21 to 23 (9 am to 1 p m); Judo: judo hall, IG stadium; May 20 to 21(9 am to 1 pm); Tennis: tennis court, IG Stadium; May 27 and 28; 3 p m to 7 p m; Kabaddi: IG Stadium; May 23 and 24 (3 pm to 7 pm); Wrestling (women): IG Stadium; May 23 and 24 (10 am to 1 pm); wrestling (men); M K Convent School, Rural Sports Academy, Mungeshpur; May 27 and 28 (from 3 p m to 7 pm); Volleyball (women): IG Stadium; May 27 and 28 (3 p m to 7 pm); Wushu: IG Stadium; May 24 (3 pm to 7 pm); Hockey (women): National Stadium ground No 2; May 27 and 28 (10 am to 1 pm).

Shastri Club enter Goswami Cricket last eight
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, May 11
Lal Bahadur Shastri Club beat ACE Group, Agra by six wickets to enter the quarter-final round of the 29th All-India Goswami Ganesh Dutt Memorial Cricket Tournament at the Sant Harchand Singh Longowal Sports Complex, SGTB Khalsa College ground in the Capital on Saturday.

Dalip TT, who scored a swashbuckling 83 runs off 74 balls with eleven boundaries, was declared the man of the match. ACE Group won the toss and opted to bat. They scored 207 for 8 runs off 40 overs. The fine batting performances of Tara Chand (71, 8x4, 83b), Rajinder Jalal and Dinesh Pawar enabled the Agra team to reach a respectable total. Tara Chand and Rajindr Jalal put on 79 runs for the fifth wicket to contain the marauding bowling spells of left-arm spinner Deepak Sain, who finished with four for 32 runs off just eight overs.

But it was just not enough against a team like Lal Bahadur Shastri Club, as their star player, Dalip TT, who had claimed two wickets, also excelled with the willow. Dalip and Rajan Gupta (76, 10x4;78b) hoisted a partnership of 118 runs off just 18.4 overs to put Shastri on the path to triumph. Shastri reached the victory target for the loss of four wickets off 36 overs. Shastri Club will meet last year’s runners-up Oil and Natural Gas Commission in the next match on May 20.

Scores: ACE Group, Agra: 207 for 8 in 40 overs (R Gupta 14, 2x4; Mohit Sharma 16,4x4, 10b; Tara Chand 71, 8x4, 83b; R Jalal 27, D Singh 15, D Pawar n o 21, 1x4, 22b; S Yadav 2 for 25, Deepak Sain 4 for 32, Dalip TT 2 for 49). Lal Bahadur Shastri Club: 208 for 4 in 36 overs (Dalip T T 83, 11x4, 74b; R Gupta 76, 10x4, 78b; S Yadav 13, S Rawat 21 n o, 3x4, 23b; L Verma 3 for 28). On Sunday, the Delhi Sports Journalists Association will take on the Organising Committee for the Dewan Chaman Lal Katyal Memorial Trophy.