Half of globe’s populace has no access to health services

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 7

The World Health Day was celebrated at various hospitals in the city on Saturday. The theme of the day this year was “Health coverage for all: Everyone, everywhere”.

The message and aim of the day was to ensure that everyone gets quality health care without suffering financial hardship. Twelve percent of the world’s population spends at least 10 per cent of their household income on health expenses – a “catastrophic expenditure”. This global problem is pushing more and more people into extreme poverty every year. No country can afford to provide health services free of charge on a sustainable basis.

Experience shows that poverty is the single major block in ensuring that everyone everywhere has access to quality health services.

Health workers lauded for door-to-door services

The programme started at the College of Nursing, Christian Medical College (CMC), with prayer. Balqis Victor, president, Trained Nurses Association of India (local branch), welcomed the chief guest. Audience was health care workers, who provide outreach as well as indoor services. She emphasised on different aspects of health care services provided by the WHO. Dr Anil Luther, Medical Superintendent, who was the chief guest on the occasion, appreciated the WHO for the work of health care services around the globe.

The theme was unfolded by Dr Reena Jairus, Professor and acting Principal, College of Nursing. She lauded health workers for their dedicated door-to-door health care services. Dr Shavinder Singh, head of the Social and Preventive Medicine Department, motivated health workers to continue the work through community participation.

Kamlesh Gill, acting Nursing Superintendent, who was the guest of honour, stressed upon awareness of diseases, referral services, rehabilitation, qualitative and effective care.

Nursing students staged a role play to convey the message on the theme. Posters displayed on the theme by trained nurses and nursing students were judged by Prof Glory Samuel.

Focus on healthy attitude, habits, lifestyle

As a part of the ongoing ‘Swacchhata Se Siddhi’ fortnight, World Health Day was celebrated at the Civil Hospital, Khanna, on Saturday. A declamation contest was organised on the occasion. Tejinder Kaur, Prabhjot Kaur, Manpreet Kaur from Kular College of Nursing and Kanchan Rani, Jaspreet Kaur, Navjot Kaur from Sanjeevani College of Nursing participated in the competition. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Rajinder Gulati, Senior Medical Officer, said, “Activities will focus on 3H — healthy attitude, healthy habits, healthy lifestyle — while observing the World Health Day.”

“This year’s theme “Universal health coverage: Everyone, everywhere” is about ensuring that all people can get quality health services, where and when they need them, without suffering financial hardship,” he added.

“At least half of the world’s population still does not have full coverage of essential health services. An increasing number of people are spending minimum 10 per cent of their household budgets on out-of-pocket health expenses. All the UN member states have agreed to try to achieve universal health coverage as a part of Sustainable Development Goals by 2030,” he said.

Physiotherapy can help in autistic cases

The World Health Day was observed at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH). An awareness programme was organised on “Autism” by the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation in collaboration with the All India Occupational Therapists Association (Punjab and Chandigarh branch) to mark the occasion.

Dr Avkash Teotia, in-charge, Physiotheraphy Department, said, “The term ‘autism’ is a complex neurobehavioral condition that includes problems to learn social interaction, language and communication skills combined with rigid, repetitive behaviour. Physiotherapy plays a pivotal role in the overall well-being of a person suffering from autism.”

The programme began with awareness talk on autism by Dr Puneet Aulakh Pooni, Professor and head of paediatrics. Dr Raju Sharma, Professor and head, LKC College of Phsyiotheraphy, Jalandhar, spoke on “Role of physiotherapy in autism,” which was followed by a lecture on “Role of occupational therapy” by Aditya Kumar from the ESIC Model Hospital, Ludhiana.

The function concluded with a prize distribution ceremony, which was presided by Gian Chand Dhawan and Balraj, members of the DMCH managing society, along with Principal Dr Sandeep Puri. Posters made by students focusing on the problem of autism were displayed on the occasion. The dignitaries also released information brochures on autism during the prize-distribution function.

There is lot of stress in lives of all people

On the occasion of World Health Day Pancham Hospital is organising a heart checkup camp, which will continue from April 8 to April 30. A comprehensive set of tests to check the complete health of heart will be done during the camp. Package includes tests like ECG, echo, TMT, cholesterol, serum creatinine, complete haemogram and blood sugar. These tests, which normally cost 4,000, are being done for Rs 999 during the camp.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr RP Singh, managing director of the Pancham Hospital said, “The motive behind our camp held every year is to make people more aware about heart diseases. With this camp and highly discounted price of tests, we hope that residents will pay attention to their health.”

“Heart disease is a beast, but it can be tamed. If we discover the disease in time, we can take measures to prevent heart attacks. Today, there is a great reduction in prices of stents. The same angioplasty that we used to do for more than Rs 2 lakh just a year ago is being done just for Rs 99,000 in this camp. We want maximum number of people to safeguard themselves against heart disease. For the first time in Ludhiana, angiography test will be done for Rs, 4,000,” he added.

Harmanpreet Singh, director of operations, Pancham Hospital said, “We want to make heart treatment more affordable for people. There is a lot of stress in everyone’s life today. At least the entry of a patient, who has to come to check whether he has a disease, should be easy and affordable.”

Hip replacement patients must exercise regularly

A special awareness camp on “Hip care for hip replacement patient” was organised at the Eva Hospital during the World Health Day celebrations under the supervision of Dr Tanveer Singh Bhutani, joint replacement specialist.

Speaking on the occasion Dr Bhutani said, “Attaining the ultimate benefits of a total hip replacement does not totally depend on an orthopaedic surgeon, reducing weight and heading to a rehabilitation centre (physiotherapy), but also on a patient himself/herself.”

Giving information about few basic steps he said, “It’s important to follow simple tasks at home to prevent blood clots, maintain a healthy diet and exercise to improve mobility, which are must for natural results.”

“In the contemporary period, hundreds of hip replacement surgeries are performed annually in India to eliminate pain in patients. Normally, surgery is the last option when all other orthopaedic treatments fail to yield results,” he added. “Although the type of hip replacement procedure dictates the length of a recovery period, patients ought to follow measures aimed at prolonging the longevity of the implant and improve mobility,” he said.

Modified lifestyle can prevent heart diseases

“We cannot leave the people to die and have a duty towards society”, said Dr Sibia, director of Sibia Medical Centre while addressing the gathering during the World Health Day celebrations.

“We are providing free consultation and ECG to poor patients since 20 years. Now, enhanced external counter pulsation (EECP) heart treatment will be provided free or on pay as you afford basis in the evening. With this heart disease will not make poor patients poorer,” he added.

Dr Sibia believes that, “Heart disease can be prevented by modifying lifestyle with vegetarian diet, exercise, stress reduction and the preventive enhanced external counter pulsation (EECP). It will help especially those having a family history of diseases, including diabetics, high blood pressure, smokers and high-stress corporate executives.”

“Besides, coronary heart disease the EECP has a role in anti-aging, brain stroke, hypertension, diabetes, erectile dysfunction and renal failure,” he added.

Experts views on health-related issues

"This year’s theme “Universal health coverage: Everyone, everywhere” is about ensuring that all people can get quality health services. All the UN member states have agreed to try to achieve universal health coverage by 2030."

Dr Rajinder Gulati, SMO, Civil Hospital, Khanna

"Autism is a complex neurobehavioral condition that includes problems to learn social interaction, language and communication skills.  Physiotherapy plays a pivotal role in the overall well-being of a person suffering from autism. "

Dr Avkash Teotia, in charge, Physioterapy Dept, DMCH, Ludhiana

"Heart disease is a beast, but it can be tamed. If we discover the disease in time, we can take measures to prevent heart attacks. Today, there is a great reduction in prices of stents. People must safeguard themselves against heart disease."

Dr RP Singh, managing director, Pancham Hospital, Ludhiana

"Attaining the ultimate benefits of a total hip replacement does not totally depend on an orthopaedic surgeon, reducing weight and heading to a rehabilitation centre (physiotherapy), but also on a patient himself/herself."

Dr Tanveer Singh Bhutani, joint specialist, Eva Hospital, Ludhiana

"Heart disease can be prevented by modifying lifestyle with vegetarian diet, exercise, stress reduction and the preventive EECP. It will help especially those at risk of heart attack and having a family history of various diseases."

Dr Sibia, director, Sibia Medical Centre, Ludhiana