The aneurysm was like a time bomb

Another life saved by Dr.Bedi at CMC H

Ludhiana//November 19//Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria

Dr HS Bedi with patient Tejinder Singh,the Heart Team and the special blood saving machine

An innovative invention along with timely and skilled vascular surgery has helped in saving the life of Tejinder Kumar - a vegetable seller of Fazilka. He sustained a fracture of his collar bone (clavicle) due to an accident. The bone bent inwards and damaged the subclavian artery (which supplies the hand) producing a swelling due to an aneurysm – a weakness of the artery. The swelling started to compress his air pipe (trachea) leading to difficulty in breathing. He was referred to Dr Harinder Singh Bedi– Head of Cardio Vascular Endovascular and Thoracic Surgery at the Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana. On examination and further investigation it was found that the aneurysm was like a time bomb and could burst at any time with fatal consequences. He underwent a vascular surgery. On opening the swelling there was a massive leak of blood at high pressure. This was sucked into a special sterile machine which has been specially developed at the CMC and H using innovative measures. About 2.5 litres of precious blood which would have been wasted was transfused back into the patient. The aneurysm was reapired and Tejinder is now well.
The other members of the team are Dr Allen Joseph, Dr Arun Gupta, Dr Paul Sudhakar, Dr Udeyana Singh, Dr Saurabh, Dr Deepa Thomas. Dr Bedi said that the intricacies of the machine were handled by Mr Jairus Wilson and William P Sagar along with Mr Mathew. Mr Jairus and Mr William are the senior most perfusionists in Punjab.
Dr Abraham G Thomas – Director of CMC & H – said that it was the excellent team work plus the innovation of the heart team that had allowed a safe surgery in such a complicated case.

Next date of hearing is fixed for 27.01.2011

High court notice to DU on M.A.(Music) admission criteria
New Delhi// November 19//
Delhi High Court (A.K.Sikri ACJ & Rajeev Sahai Endlaw J) on Friday has issued notices to Delhi University, Faculty of Music & Fine Arts, Ramjas College and Shri Avinash Kumar Jha on the petition filed by Ms. Babita Rawat through Advocate Ashok Agarwal questioning the validity of the admission criteria for M.A. (Music) (Hindustani Vocal) which solely based on 100% performance at the Entrance Test.  “Rule 3 of the Rules, Regulations and Eligibility Conditions for admissions 2011-12 in M.A. (Music) (Hindustani) whereby the merit list is drawn solely on the basis of performance at the entrance test (practical) is arbitrary, discriminatory, unjust, illegal, unconstitutional, violative of Articles 14, 15 & 21 of the Constitution of India read with the provisions of Delhi University Act, 1922”, argued Mr. Agarwal.

The petitioner states that she has been denied admission in M.A.(Music) despite the fact that she secured 63% marks in aggregate in B.A.(Music) in the academic year 2011-12 while studying in Ramjas College. She also stated that Avinash Kumar Jha who was not eligible to be even registered for the course has not only been selected but also granted admission in M.A.(Music) in Ramjas College.

“Merit list is drawn solely on the basis of the performance in the entrance test (practical).No written test is taken at all.  Even no record of entrance test (practical) is prepared and maintained by the Selection Committee. The decisions to select candidates are solely at the whims and fancies of the members of the Committee. Such a criteria is open to discrimination, favoritism, arbitrariness and therefore, impermissible in law”, submitted Mr. Agarwal.

Next date of hearing is fixed for 27.01.2011.

for more detail Advocate Ashok Agarwal maybe contacted at his mobile number-09811101923

Plan the health like a pension plan for future-Dr. Bedi

‘The hearts of Punjabis should not just tick–they should beat strongly’
Ludhiana//16 November 2011// Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria

Dr. Bedi during a camp (File photo: The Eagle Eye News)


In the current era where heart disease has touched epidemic proportions in India according to WHO there is something to cheer about. Just simple lifestyle changes and regular exercise can dramatically reduce the chances of suffering from a heart attack.    

At a recently concluded cardiac check up camp conducted by Dr Harinder Singh Bedi – Head of Cardio Vascular & Thoracic Surgery at the Christian Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana- some very positive findings have come up. At the camp a comprehensive cardiac checkup was performed on a cross section of the community of Samana and all surrounding areas. 400 patients were examined at the camp which was jointly organized with the Registered Medical Practitioners Association, Samana. All patients underwent a thorough examination by superspecialist doctors along with special blood tests. A unique feature was the addition of a dietary consultation and of supervised yoga therapy for all patients and attendants.  It was found that people who exercised regularly or performed yoga had their hearts in good shape, and had cholesterol levels and blood pressure under control. Dr Bedi was very encouraged with these findings for they suggest that a simple regimen of exercise, prudent diet, weight control and regular checkups could indeed keep the hearts of Punjabis in good shape. He stressed that the aim of preventive medicine was – ‘The hearts of Punjabis should not just tick – they should beat strongly’.

Interestingly similar reports have been found worldwide. Currently around one in five menopausal women die from heart disease. But according to new research by exercise scientists at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), this shocking statistic could be reversed if women took just 30 minutes to exercise, 5 days a week. Similarly a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that walking briskly for half an hour cut the risk of premature death in men and women by 44 percent.

There is some confusion about the type and intensity of exercise required. For cardiovascular fitness, you need to do a minimum of 20 minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week, working hard enough that you break a sweat or are mildly out of breath. If you work out on a treadmill you should walk at a speed of at least four miles per hour on a level. If it’s on an incline, you can go a little more slowly.

Aim for a target heart rate during exercise.  Make monitoring your heart rate an integral part of your workout routine. It's a safer, more effective way to exercise, according to the American College of Sports Medicine.

Here's how to calculate your target heart rate range:

- Estimate your maximum heart rate by subtracting your age from 220.
- Determine your lower-limit exercise heart rate: multiply your maximum heart rate by 0.6.

- Calculate your upper-limit exercise heart rate: multiply your maximum heart rate by 0.9.

For most people, working out at the lower end of the heart rate range for a longer time is better than exercising at the higher end for a shorter period.

Punjabis have a genetic predisposition to heart disease. You can’t do anything about your genes just yet—but you can lower that risk through lifestyle changes. Diet, yoga, exercise, regular physical checkups—all of these can help. Diabetes and high blood pressure can be detected and kept under control. It is time that we invested in our health and fitness now to ensure a real quality of life in later years – just as we plan a financial pension plan for our future. So, strap on your sneakers and start striding in the park.

300 patients were given free blood sugar test

A call to be alert against Diabetes
World Diabetes Day Celebrated
Ludhiana//14th November, 2011//Shalu Arora and Rector kathuria

World Diabetes day is a call to all those who are responsible for Diabetes care and can contribute to control it. For a diabetic patient, this is a message for empowerment education so that he can follow proper ways whether diet food or exercises to improve his health. And for general public this is a call to be alert against Diabetes and understand the serious impact of diabetes.
Giving Information regarding the camp Dr.Marry John, HOD, Medicine department said that World Diabetes Day raises global awareness of diabetes - it’s escalating rates around the world and how to prevent the illness in most cases. Started by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and WHO, the Day is celebrated on 14 November to mark the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best, was instrumental in the discovery of insulin in 1922, a life-saving treatment for diabetes patients.
On the occasion of World Diabetes Day on Monday 14th November, 2011 the department of Medicine at CMC and Hospital organized a free medical camp where around 300 patients were medically examined and given free blood sugar test to assess the risk of developing the disease. Patients were also offered free counselling by the specialists of diabetes and endocrinology department. A presentation on Diabetes education and self care was screened. Quiz competition for children with type 1 Diabetes was held. A diet display was also organized by the department. Patients also underwent free body mass and fat analysis test, blood sugar, diabetic foot.

25% quota of free seats in schools

Right of admission of children including children with disabilities 
Provisions of the RTE Act, 2009

New Delhi//November 12, 2011//

RTE Task Force (Social Jurist Initiative) volunteers with Advocate Ashok Agarwal would be visiting Shastri Park Jhuggies (near ISBT, Kashmere Gate, Delhi) on Sunday 13 November 2011 from 8 am to 10 am to meet the parents and the students of the area from door to door. The sole aim of the visit is to share with them the right of admission of children including children with disabilities in government and recognized private schools (under 25% quota of free seats) arising out the provisions of the RTE Act, 2009. The students would be encouraged to write RTE PIL Postcard to the Delhi High Court Chief Justice about the violations of their right to education. Handbills containing Helpline Nos. 9868529459, 8826456565 would also be distributed among the people. Parents and students may take legal assistance totally free of costs through these Helplines between 10 am and 5 pm on all days except Sundays. Friends and well wishers who wish to volunteer themselves to the Cause may join us at 8 am sharp on 13 November 2011 at Shastri Park red light crossing. People can also join us at facebook. Ashok Agarwal, Advocate, advisor, Social Jurist may be also contacted at his mobile number-09811101923

Four state level rallies by Mehila Congress

Formation of state body within next fortnight
Chandigarh// November 10, 2011//Rector Kathuria

Mahila congress Punjab will organize four state level rallies at Ropar, Kapurthala, Dharamkot and Amritsar in the month of December which will be adrresed by Smt Anita Verma, President, All India Mahila Congress. This was stated by Dr Malti Thapar after chairing the first meeting of the mahila congress. Dr Thapar also announced the formation of state body within next fortnight with 2 senior vice presidents, 7 vice presidents, 7 general secretaries, 7 secretaries, 1 organizing secretary, 1 treasurer, 1 media advisor, 1 office secretary, 11 executive committee members and joint secretaries.  Three Zonal rallies to be addressed by Incharge Punjab affairs Dr. Anita Babbar at Hoshiarpur, Patiala and Gurdaspur.

Dr Thapar directed the mahila congress workers to ensure maximum participation of the mahila workers in the ongoing Punjab bachao rallies being organized by Pradesh congress. She also asked the mahila workers to work for the coming vidhan sabha elections and work with the senior party to ensure the victory.

Urinary Incontinence in women embarrassing but treatable

Dr Meena Dass visiting CMCH on 12-19 November

Ludhiana// November 8, 2011//Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria

Dr Meena Dass, MD, FRCOG, Consultant Uro-Gynecologist at the Barnsley NHS Hospital Trust, UK, who will be visiting the Department of Urology at CMCH on 12-19 November-2011, in a telephonic interview said that Urinary Incontinence in women is embarrassing but it is treatable. Urinary incontinence means that you can't always control when you urinate. As a result, you wet your clothes most of the time during the day and night. This is embarrassing, but it can always be cured. Urinary incontinence can be caused by many different medical problems, including weak pelvic muscles or diabetes, after repeated child births, obesity and as part of aging in the females. Stress urinary incontinence is a disturbing condition when urine leaks because of sudden pressure on your lower abdominal muscles, such as when you cough, laugh, lift something or exercise. Stress incontinence usually occurs when the pelvic muscles are weak, for example after childbirth or surgery. Stress incontinence is common in women. Surgery can be helpful. It is usually done if other treatment modalities haven't worked or if the incontinence is severe.

Dr Meena Dass described the new surgical technique of “Tension Free Vaginal Tape – Obturator Approach (TVT-O)” and highlighted its advantage over various other surgical procedures for Stress Urinary Incontinence (SIU). Dr Kim Mammen, HOD of Urology, CMCH, emphasized that the TVT-O Technique and the use of similar slings, is a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of patients with Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) who do not improve with medications. It improves the quality of life and makes the patients dry.

Dr Meena Dass along with Dr Kim Mammen and the Urology Team including Dr Francis Sridhar Katumalla, Dr George Mathew, Dr Shafiq Ahmed and Dr Amit Tuli will be available to treat patients with Stress Urinary Incontinence. We hope to see many patients coming into our hospital “wet” and going  home “dry”, said Dr Kim Mammen, Professor & Head, Department of Urology, CMCH. Dr Meena Dass will be available for consultation from 12-19 November-2011 at the Department of Urology with prior appointment. The contact telephone for prior appointment: 0161-5026999 Extension: 5026 [Urology Office].

 “I was unable to go for any social functions because I was always wet but, now after this surgical procedure, I am absolutely dry and I do not have to wear any pads. I do not smell of urine and I feel more confident of myself” said one of the patients who was recently operated at CMCH Urology Department. Dr Kim Mammen highlighted that the cost of this “Tension Free Vaginal Tape – Obturator Approach (TVT-O)” which is imported is available at a subsidized rate and for genuinely poor and need patients few of these Tapes can be made available free of cost through Philanthropists and charitable agencies.