Port Blair, May 26: Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma,Patron, AN Medical Employees Union, affiliated to INTUC has requested the Principal Secretary Health to reintroduce payment of Hospital Care Allowance/Patient Care Allowance to the eligible employees of DHS, which was stopped since April 2009 at an early date since this has been approved by the Concerned Ministry.

On the matter, the Assistant Director (Admn), DHS has informed that the payment of HPCA was stopped in view of the contents at para 6(iii) part B of resolution No: 1/1/2008-IC dated 29 8 08 issued from the Ministry of Finance, however the Ministry of Health and Family welfare vide OM Z 28015/119/2012-H dt 17 12 12 has conveyed the approval of union cabinet for doubling the existing rate of HPCA/PCA to all eligible employees working in hospitals/dispensaries and organizations from the period from 1 9 2008 which would be automatically raised by 25% every time the DA on the revised pay structure goes up by 50% subject to terms and conditions as laid in the Office Memorandum.

Therefore all the employees attached to hospitals, dispensaries and organizations may be allowed to draw the HPCA/PCA at the applicable rate as the case may be irrespective of number of beds, as the nature of duties of all the employees involves continuous and routine contact with patients infected with communicable disease or those who are routinely handled infected materials instruments and equipment which can spreads infections.

Kuldeep has recorded his satisfaction that the legitimate demand of the employees of DHS has been fulfilled.

Dr.Dinesh

A & N islands private practicing Doctors Association (ANIPPDA) conducted free “pap smear test” for women for early detection of cervical cancer on 28/4/13 at Astha Clinic with the assistance of Inner Wheel Club of Port Blair. Dr.Krishna Saha,Gynecologist, Dr.Radha Syamala, General Physician examined the patients. Dr.Ritika Gupta, Pathologist was present.

Dr Rohindra Lal, President  & Dr.Dinesh, General Secretary, ANIPPDA and Mrs.Komal Anand, General Secretary of Inner wheel club was also present.

Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in women world wide. Women at the highest risk of developing cervical cancer are those between the ages of 40 and 49; with regular testing and early diagnosis it can be easily prevented and stopped in its tracks before developing into uncontrollable cancer cells.

Early diagnosis and treatment dramatically increase the chances of successful treatment and survival, rather than detecting the illness later on when the cancer has increased in size and may have metastasized to other parts of the body this is very promising in the usefulness of the “Pap smear test” as a diagnostic tool that can save lives. The test result of the patients who attended the camp will be intimated to them at the earliest possible said Dr.Ritika Gupta, Pathologist.

Dr.Dinesh
Port Blair, Apr 15: A & N islands private practicing Doctors Association (ANIPPDA) will conduct a free “pap smear test” for women for early detection of cervical cancer on 28/4/13 from 10 am to 1 pm at Astha Clinic. Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in women worldwide. Women at the highest risk of developing cervical cancer are those between the ages of 40 and 49; the incidence of cancer gradually declines among women aged 50 and above.

“What most people do not know about cervical cancer is that it is caused by a virus and that with regular testing and early diagnosis it can be easily prevented and stopped in its tracks before developing into uncontrollable cancer cells. The virus infection which leads to cervical cancer is called the human papilloma virus (HPV). The cervix is considered to be the lower third of the uterus. A quick and inexpensive test done in the gynecologist’s clinic, the Pap smear, detects any abnormality of the cells in this area which can be easily treated at this stage before the affected cells go cancerous.

However, women between 40 and 49 years should be checked every year. Early diagnosis and treatment dramatically increase the chances of successful treatment and survival, rather than detecting the illness later on when the cancer has increased in size and may have metastasized to other parts of the body. According to oncologists, the survival rate for the earliest stage of cervical cancer is 92 percent and 60 to 70 percent for those with stage II cancer.

This is very promising in the usefulness of the Pap smear test as a diagnostic tool that can save lives. The early stages of cervical cancer may arise without any warning signs, which is why regular screening is emphasized by physicians. Occasionally, symptoms of cervical cancer may include one or more of the following: vaginal bleeding, a vaginal mass, moderate pain during intercourse, and unusual vaginal discharge. Symptoms of advanced cervical cancer are loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, pelvic pain, back pain, leg pain, swollen legs, and heavy vaginal bleeding.

Although contracting HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer, inadequate nutrition may also play a slight role. Eating a diet rich in anti-oxidant vitamins is essential for overall good health and not just for fighting cancer.

Port Blair, Apr 15: By reaching out its arms yet again for a Philanthropic cause, members of Coast Guard Wives Welfare Association (CGWWA) under the able guidance of Mrs Jyothi Murthy, President, CGWWA visited Pranab Kanya Kendra on 13 Apr 2013.

During their visit to Pranab Kanya Kendra, a medical checkup for thirty intimates was also undertaken by the two Medical Officers of the Indian Coast Guard. During the course of interaction with the staff and inmates of the Kanya Kendra, Mrs. Jyothi Murthy, President Tatrakshika (A&N) appreciated the efforts the Kendara was putting in
to meet the challenges in providing education and bringing up the inmates in a befitting manner so that all of them achieve the ultimate aim of becoming independent and responsible citizens of the Country. Later the CGWWA members distributed items of daily use to the inmates as a goodwill gesture.

Manoj & E Arun

Port Blair, Apr 11: G.B Pant Hospital is the lone referral hospital in Andaman and Nicobar Islands but there are many things which barring the hospital from becoming the best hospital of these Islands. Shortage of Ward-boys in the hospital is perhaps one such reason, which is bringing down the image of the hospital.

This shortage has hit the orthopaedic ward of G B Pant very hard as patient with single or multiple fractures need help of others for their movement. As there is severe shortage of Ward-boys, patients with fractures have to depend on others for their movement.

For Physiotherapy, X-Ray and other tests ortho patients have to go to different sections of the G B Pant Hospital. The Physiotherapy section is on the second floor of OPD block and for that one has to travel from the ortho section (Old Building) to the OPD section.

As there is always shortage of ward boys the attendants have to carry the patient in wheel chair to different buildings. In case the attendant is women things become further worse. To get a help of ward boy one has to wait for several hours because just one ward boy posted in Ortho section can’t play superman and help everybody at the same time.

The shortage of ward boys are seen in almost all sections of the hospital and the ultimate sufferers are the patients, attendants and the other staffs who have to do extra work in order to provide Islanders with basic health care facilities.

The Hospital Management is not only responsible for the sufferings of the people because of shortage of the ward boys, actually, it is the administration which is responsible, believe many people, as creating more post of ward boys is the responsibility of Administration.

When Andaman Sheekha contacted Mrs. Kusum Kunwar (SAG), MBBS DGO, MS, she said that there is a shortage of staffs with the department and it is already conveyed to the Administration and soon they will overcome the shortage. She further added that once the medical college opens up this shortage of medical staffs will permanently extinguished.

“Medical College is a distant dream, which may take another decade therefore the Administration must immediately look into the matter and appoint more ward boys for the hospital so that patients and attendants get some relief,” said a patient of orthopaedic section of G B Pant Hospital.

Port Blair, April 04: Like every year, the Directorate of Health Services will observe “World Health Day” on 07th April 2013 with the theme – “High Blood Pressure” in Andaman & Nicobar Islands along with the rest of the country. To highlight the importance of World Health day and to mark the occasion various IEC activities will be carried out by all the Health Institutions of this union territory involving PPJ’s, Para Medical Personal, Anganwadi workers, Students & Teachers, ASHA and NGOs to create awareness among general public about High Blood Pressure and its ill effects. The Blood Pressure is highly associated with risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure and blindness. The ultimate Goal of the observance of the World Health Day is to reduce heart attack and strokes and to raise awareness of the causes and consequences of High Blood Pressure and control of High Blood Pressure by increasing the health seeking behavior among the general population.

The main function will be organized at Zilla Parishad community hall, Prothrapur on 8th April 2013 at 10.30 AM to observe the Day, Smti. Abala Samaddar, Adhyaksha Zilla Parishad, South Andaman District will be the Chief Guest and Mr. P.B. Murugan, Chairperson, Port Blair Municipal Council will be Guest of honour on the occasion.

Port Blair, Mar 28: Trachoma, the leading cause of infectious blindness globally, usually affects the most social economically deprived population. India is among the five countries accounting for nearly half of the global burden of active trachoma. The last national survey on trachoma conducted in six states in 2006 reported that 5.8% of children aged 1-9 years had signs of active trachoma infection. India is committed to elimination of trachoma related blindness. In order to achieve this goal, remote, poor and marginalized populations of the country where trachoma is likely to be endemic, need to be surveyed for prioritizing interventions to eliminate trachoma.

In a survey conducted by a team of experts from Dr. R. P. Centre, AIIMS, New Delhi and Eye Department, G. B. Pant Hospital headed by Eye Specialist during April 2010 in Nicobar Islands, a very high magnitude of active trachoma infection as well as trichiasis was reported. As per the report, Car Nicobar is a hyperendemic area for Trachoma and it was recommended to provide Mass Azithromycin treatment to all the residents of Car Nicobar Islands annually for next three years. As per the recommendation of expert team, 03 Rounds of MDA conducted by a team from Eye Department, G.B. Pant Hospital during September 2010, Nov. 2011 and Nov 2012 and average coverage is 85.78 %.

Now, as per the direction of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India, a team of experts will be reaching Port Blair on 30/03/2013 from Dr. R. P. Centre, AIIMS, New Delhi. The team along with a team from Eye Department, G.B. Pant Hospital, Port Blair will conduct Rapid Assessment of Trachoma in South Andaman District (Cattlegunj, Tushnabad, Manglutang, Garacharama & Chidyatapu) & N&M Andaman District (Mayabunder, Pokkadera, Lucknow, Karmatang & Pahalgaon) from 31st March to 4th April 2013 to assess the magnitude of trachoma in South Andaman District & N&M Andaman District. The team will also conduct Prevalence Study of Trachoma in Car Nicobar from 5th April 2013.

“All the people of respective area are requested to provide support to the expert team from Dr. R. P. Centre, AIIMS, New Delhi and Eye Department, G.B. Pant Hospital for conducting Prevalence Study of Trachoma in Car Nicobar & Rapid Assessment of Trachoma in South Andaman District & N&M Andaman District. The survey will very useful to prevent from corneal blindness in future,” a release from Health Department said here today.

Port Blair, Mar 25: On the occasion of World TB Day to create awareness on prevention and control of Tuberculosis Primary Health Centre, Chouldari organized a Rally from Primary Health Centre, Chouldari to Chouldari Bazaar. The Rally was flagged off by the Chief Guest of the programme Mr. Subash Dey, Pradhan, Chouldari Gram Panchayat. Along with rally an awareness programme was also organized at Conference Hall of PHC, Chouldari. 47 community members including PRI’s & AWW’s attended the programme.
Dr. P. C. Bhatnagar (Medical Officer In-charge) PHC, Chouldari discussed about the causes, Symptoms & Prevention of the Disease. It was highlighted that, cough for more than two weeks may be due to TB.

TB can be diagnosed by Sputum Test. TB is fully curable. It’s treatment is free in all government health facilities. There should not be any stigma & discrimination with TB patient. Mr. Tapan Kumar Parida, Health Educator and ANM’s of the PHC also shared their views about Tuberculosis. Participants also raised various questions to clarify their doubts. The Community members appreciated the efforts of the staff of the PHC to spread awareness.