HEALTH

IMA ends Sun Pharma boycott
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 6
The Indian Medical Association has ended the boycott of Sun Pharma, a drug company. The IMA had decided to boycott the company after one of its medical representatives had allegedly connived with some officials of the vigilance bureau resulting in trap of a medical officer.

Dr Gusahran Singh, national vice-president of the IMA, said during the probe by the IMA it had been found that the particular medical representative had connived with some higher officials in the medical department to defame the doctor.

The medical representative had reportedly offered Rs 4,000 as bribe to Dr Romesh Maheshwari of Bathinda and he was caught red-handed by the vigilance bureau.

Sun Pharma, however, denied its role and said the medical representative had acted on his own.

Meeting on Pulse Polio programme
Our Correspondent

Clinic for detection of congenital defects launched
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 6
The Christian Medical College and Hospital today announced the start of an ante-natal check up clinic for the detection of congenital defects in foetus. A congenital defect is a health problem that happens with a baby's growth or development before birth. As many as four out of every 100 babies are born with a birth defect.

According to Dr Saroj Choudhary, an expert panel of doctors comprising gynaecologist, neonatologist, radiologist and paediatric surgeon will keep a careful watch on the development of the baby and advise the parents accordingly.

Dr Choudhary maintained that birth defects can be mild to severe. Some may be hard to notice while others can be life threatening. It is still not known why some babies are born with health problems but many environmental factors and health and lifestyle of the expectant mother have a great influence on the foetus’ development along with certain hereditary or genetic factors.

Congenital disorders like malformation of heart, brain, spinal cord, kidneys or other vital organs can be easily detected during the various stages of the child's development. Depending on the type of defect and its severity the treatment plan is advised to the parents.

"Some of the congenital problems can be noticed at birth. Others take weeks or years to come to the fore. Thus in case we keep a regular watch on the foetus’ development, we are in a much better position to assess the severity of these problems and plan immediate treatment schedule. This not only helps in better management of the child's health but also helps in preparing the parents to cope with the situation emotionally and psychologically," she said.

ADMINISTRATION

Excise Dept plans camps
Our Correspondent