Dr Sheila Das & her Team found more facts

Wed, Jan 16, 2013 at 5:11 PM
3.5 – 5 % were carriers of Beta Thal Major in the general population 
Aroras , Khatris , Ramgariah Sikhs , Jains the prevalence was 4.8% - 9.1% 

Ludhiana, 16th January, 2013 (Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria):A CME on Thalassemia Awareness & Role of Molecular Genetics sponsored by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi was conducted on the 16^th of January 2013 at the Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana. The CME was attended by over 250 delegates which included Gynaecologists and Paeditricians from the Ludhiana city, including CMC Faculty.

Honorable Civil surgeon Dr.Subash Batta, was the Chief Guest, and Dr.K.Ghosh, Director, NIIH, Mumbai was the Guest of Honor, Dr.R.Colah, Dy Director, NIIH, Mumbai, Professor Vijay Obed, Dy Director, Prof.S.M.Bhatti, Pricipal, Prof. K.Masih, Medical Superintendent were also present.

The program was on generating awareness on the various aspects of Thalassemia, advancements in management and preventive strategies which included molecular diagnostics and prenatal diagnosis. The welcome address was given by Prof. Sheila Das, Principal Investigator, ICMR Thalassemia Molecular Genetics Project, Dr.K.Ghosh spoke on Why awareness of Thalassemia is necessary, Dr.R.Colah gave introduction of Molecular Genetics in Thalassemia and CVS study, Dr.Ranjeet S.Mashon, Research Scientist, ICMR Thalassemia Molecular Genetics Project gave a brief report of CMC experience in molecular genetics in Hemoglobinopathies, Ms. Geetanjali spoke on Awareness and Family sstudy in Antenatal women, Dr. Atul Goel, Assoc. Prof, Paediatrics spoke on challenges on managing a child with Thalassemia and Dr. J.John spoke on Bone Marrow Transplant in Thalassemia Children CMC experience.The CME was concluded by a vote of Thanks by Dr.Sheila Das.

It has been found by Dr Sheila Das & her Team in a previous ICMR Research Project by CMC Ludhiana that 3.5 – 5 % were carriers of Beta Thal Major in the general population while in some casts like Aroras , Khatris , Ramgariah Sikhs , Jains the prevalence was 4.8% - 9.1% and in Migrants from West Pak the prevalence was 8.3%.

All pregnant ladies during their first 3 months of Pregnancy are requested to come forward to CMC to get their blood screened for Beta Thalassemia, as this is the only center in Punjab to provide this facility as the ICMR Thalassemia Lab CMC Ludhiana is fully equipped with machines costing  Rs 75-80 lakhs sponsored by ICMR New Delhi .

Dr.Ranjeet S.Mashon may be contacted for more details at 8146560673

A CME on Thalassemia Awareness at CMC Ldh.

Dr Sheila Das and her Team found more facts

Cases of unsympathetic to young students

High Court pulls up Delhi Govt.

A Delhi High Court Bench headed by the Acting Chief Justice Shri A.K.Sikri has today pulled up Government of Delhi for being unsympathetic to 700 students of Classes KG to 12 of Government-run  Pandit Vaid Khushi Ram SKV at Nangal Thakran, North-West Delhi who sitting in tented/open classrooms for the last three years. When Advocate Ashok Agarwal, a member of High Court Committee pointed out that despite orders of the Court in February 2012 for construction of porta-cabins as a temporary arrangement pending construction of permanent school building, the Government has done nothing till date and the students continue to sit in tented classrooms, the Court questioned the Government Counsel "what were you doing all these days?" and directed them to submit status report in the matter within two weeks. 
Advocate Ashok Agarwal had visited on 18.02.2012 Delhi Govt School at AT NANGAL THAKRAN and found that all the 700 students of classes KG to 12 were sitting in tented classrooms or in open. The school building which was constructed only about 25 years back has been declared dangerous about 3 years ago and since then the school is run in tents and in open. These facts supported by the photographs were brought to the notice of the Court on 15.02.2012. The Government on 29 Feb 2012 had admitted that the school was run in 21 tented classrooms and informed that the construction of 21 SPS classrooms had been sanctioned and has also assured the Court that the construction would take place soon. 
The High Court in its earlier order dated 25.01.2012 had observed, "In the interregnum from the photographs we find that there is a tent and certain tin shed on site which are insufficient for 390 students and not equipped for the purpose of conducting classes. The tin sheds are open from three sides; it is torturous for students as well as teachers to sit therein in this extreme winter. Since construction of building is going to consume substantial time, the Government would be well advised to erect Porta Cabins so that appropriate classroom to facilitate the proper teaching of the students are available and which is now their fundamental right under Article 21-A of the Constitution".
Next date of hearing is fixed for 25 July 2012.

Master Aniket is waiting for your healing touch

Ludhiana, October 18, 2011 : Master Aniket, a 11 years old boy (Unit no: C7153608) from Ludhiana presented with symptoms of chronic kidney disease stage 5. His primary diagnosis was posterior urethral value and underwent surgery at the age of 8 months. For the last 2 years, he has been on dialysis (initially hemodialysis and subsequently on peritoneal dialysis). He developed recurrent episodes of peritonitis due to which his peritoneal dialysis catheter had to be removed.

He is presently still critical. I would request all those who are able to generally contribute to his treatment without which he will not be able to sustain life. His father, Anil Kumar is working with an employer in a small shop and in view of his son’s ill-health has not gone for work for 2 months. His father has 4 children, 2 daughters and 1 more brother younger to Aniket.

Kind hearted philanthropists and well-wishers can help this poor and deserving patient by sending in their contribution to the Medical Superintendent, CMCH, by a crossed cheque in favor of “CMC Ludhiana Society” with Aniket’s name mentioned at the back of the cheque, along with a covering letter. Kindly do your best to support this family in their time of need and May God help in recovery.

For further details or enquiry Please contact Dr. Timothy Rajamanickam : 9646500156

Dr. Timothy Rajamanickam,
Associate Professor

Department of Nephrology

Childhood Obesity Hits Home for Blogger

By Elaine Wilson 
American Forces Press Service

Photo Courtesy :The Parents Zone

WASHINGTON, March 14, 2011 - My 7-year-old son came home from school the other day and told me another boy had called him fat -- several times. My heart sank as I struggled for the right words to comfort my son, and promised to call the teacher on his behalf.

While I was upset with the boy who called my son a name, I was even more upset with myself.

My son is overweight, obese by the doctor's standards, (see the blog I wrote last year) and I don't think I've been doing enough to help.

Months earlier, I had pledged to make over our sometimes-unhealthy family lifestyle after the pediatrician noted an upward trend on my son's weight chart.

I started with the best of intentions. For months, I worked at increasing the variety of fruits I picked up each week at the store. But recently, I've noticed my tendency to sneak a few of my family's not-so-healthy favorites -- doughnuts, ice cream and candy, to name a few – into the cart. And down deep, I know my son is going to opt for the sweets over the healthy treats when I'm not looking.

I've encouraged my son to be more active, but that, too has waned in the winter months. The TV's siren call is hard for him to resist, and I've been growing more lax with my TV cutoff times. He's not getting enough exercise, and I'm the one who's ultimately responsible.

It's not about his appearance; it's about his health.

Studies show that about 80 percent of children ages 10 to 15 who were overweight became obese by age 25, Public Health Service Cmdr. (Dr.) Aileen Buckler, TRICARE population health physician, told me in a recent interview. And children who are overweight before age 8 are more likely to have more severe obesity as an adult, which can lead to greater risks of cardiovascular disease, stroke, certain types of cancer, osteoarthritis and even infertility.

To make matters worse, America's childhood obesity rates have tripled in the past 30 years. Today, nearly one in three American children and about one in four military children are overweight or obese.

The topic recently has been highlighted in the news, mostly due to First Lady Michelle Obama's efforts with the "Let's Move" campaign, which encourages people to adopt a healthier lifestyle through healthy eating and exercise. The Defense Department also is working to help families with this pervasive issue, which I wrote about in the American Forces Press Service article, "DOD Takes Steps to Combat Childhood Obesity."

For example, officials are creating standardized menus for child development centers to ensure the centers are meeting children's nutritional needs, Barbara Thompson, of the Pentagon's office of military community and family policy, told me. They're also working with vendors who supply the centers' food to ensure they're getting the freshest vegetables, lower-fat cuts of meat and less processed food laden with fats, salt and sugar.

But the Defense Department can't do this alone, Thompson said. Adults need to be good role models. She summed up a healthy family goal with the aid of a few numbers: five-two-one-zero. People, she explained, should aim for five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, two hours or less of screen time, one hour of physical activity and zero sugary drinks.

Sounds like good advice. I need to start opting for granola bars over candy bars and frozen yogurt over ice cream. And it's time to encourage my son once again to pick up an activity that won't involve a remote control or joystick. That will, at least, be a start.

Are you struggling with a similar issue? If so, don't hesitate to write in with your lessons learned or greatest challenges.

In the meantime, for more information on a healthy lifestyle, visit a service health and wellness facility, check in with a base fitness center or visit the Let's Move campaign website or Military OneSource.