ANDAMAN SHEEKHA

The True Mirror of A & N Islands

Smoking ban implementation flayed

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Port Blair, Jan 02: Even after the ban on public smoking came into force, people in theIslandscontinue to suffer in silence while smokers continue to puff away their cheap cigarettes, breaking the law with impunity. It’s now over two years since the ban on smoking in public places was imposed in theIslands, but to the dismay of all the authorities could not book anybody for smoking in public places, atleast no such report has come to notice of public. This showed that the regulations on fining violators are not being implemented in true spirit. Fines for violating the ban on smoking in public places have been fixed at Rs 200.

In offices, parks, hotels, bars and other public places, smokers have encountered little restraint from non-smokers and flouted norms much to the dismay of non-smokers, who are aware of the health risks, not to speak of the inconvenience caused to others. Besides health risk to the passive smokers, smoking in public poses very serious threat to non-smokers. Passive smoking is responsible for death of many innocents.

It is very common for passive smokers to develop a range of diseases, including respiratory and other ailments. Some non-smokers can have even cancer after prolonged exposure to passive smoking.  The problem is more acute in cramped spaces like offices, parks and also restaurants because second hand smoke lingers on for a longer time. Most of the places including buses also do not have mandatory no-smoking signs. The most vulnerable sections affected by second hand smoke are pregnant women and children.

At present anyone can see dozens of people smoking openly in public places ofA & NIslands, without any fear and this is not a secret. The Administration must question all those top officials, who are entitled to impose fine of those who are smoking in public, about how much fines they have imposed till now. Until and unless people do not see others being fined by Authorities for smoking in public, they won’t stop smoking in public places. More strictness in this issue is must forA & NIslands.

Eye Check-up Camp and Educational Classes Organised by Traffic Police for Drivers

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Port Blair, Jan 02: As a part of “23rd Road Safety Week” celebrations educational classes were conducted by the A & N Traffic Police for the Government and Private drivers followed by a Free Eye check up camp at Fire-Brigade Head Quarter today on 2nd January,2012. In all 225 private drivers as well as drivers of Government Departments attended the classes. The eye tests of 85 drivers were conducted by a medical team led by S.S. Venkateshwar and Shyam Narayan, Ophthalmic Assistants of Eye Section, G.B.Pant Hospital, Port Blair. Mr. Shyam Narayan Opthalmic Assistant explained the importance of eye care to the drivers and stated that the dimness of vision can also be major cause of road accidents.

During the eye test 06 drivers were prescribed with glasses and 03 cases were referred to G.B. Pant Hospital for further check up and treatment. The Superintendent of Police, South Andaman District advised the drivers to take care of their eyes to protect their vision, motorists and pedestrians on the road and for the greater safety of the road users. Mr. Chinmoy Biswal, ASP, South Andaman also educated the drivers about traffic rules and emphasized the importance of Road Safety Week -2012.

Blood Donation Camp Organized by Traffic Police

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Port Blair, Jan 02: The Andaman & Nicobar Traffic Police has kicked off their one week long programmes of 23rd Road Safety week 2012 yesterday by organizing a Blood Donation camp at Fire Brigade Headquarters at Port Blair in a befitting manner. 200 police personnel including public have participated in the Blood Donation Camp. Mr. Anand Mohan DIGP(L&O) the chief guest on the occasion has extended his New Year Greetings to all participants and explained the importance of road safety week. The Superintendent of police, District south Andaman has also advised the participants to respect the traffic rules on the road so that the accidents can be minimized and precious lives could be saved. Dr.Wajid Ali Shah the pathologist apprised the gathering about Blood Donation and its objectives. In all 32 participants including Traffic Police, IRBn, Auto drivers and Truck drivers have donated their blood during the function.
The Chief guest Mr. Anand Mohan DIGP(L&0), The Superintendent of Police, District South Andaman have also donated their blood for the good cause.
Local residents, parents, teachers and guardians, through this release are requested to ensure that their wards don’t drive without helmet, proper driving licence and in drunken condition. They are further advised not to have tinted glass and fancy number plates on their vehicles. The whole hearted cooperation of the all sections of society is solicited to make the “Road Safety Week 2012” a grand success.

DHS and UTHM observes Village Health Nutrition Day

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Port Blair, Jan 02: The Directorate of Health Services in association with the UT Health Mission of A & N Islands organized “village health nutrition day” under Reproductive Child Health (RCH- II) Programme, at Sub. Centre Rangachang, on Saturday. Altogether 146 participants attended the programme and availed the services in the camp like-antenatal care, immunization, and nutritional supplements while the disabled children were screened and referred to concerned specialist atG.B.PantHospitalfor further management.

Haemoglobin estimation test was also done on the spot for children and mothers. Iron folic acid syrup and other micronutrients were distributed in the camp free of cost to the anaemic patients.

The Pradhan, Gram Panchayat, Rangachang, Smti. Maimoona, who was the chief guest on the occasion, appreciated the Health department for organizing such camp in remote areas and also giving various health services at their doorstep.

During thecampDr.R.ThulasiDasan, Deputy Director (FWAHE) spoke about mother and child health care, immunization, nutrition for mothers during pregnancy etc. He also informed the gathering about various Govt. schemes like JSV, Planned Family Scheme, JSSK and incentives for sterilization under family welfare programme available for mother and girl child of BPL and non BPL categories. He also addressed the Paramedical Staff to dedicate and improve their services for the betterment of villagers by regular field / home visit and thereby timely referral services to nearest Health Centre.

In addition, pregnant women, children, adolescent girls, senior citizen and others were examined and treated by Specialist Doctor on the spot and were provided with required with medicines free of cost in the camp, a communication received here said.

Services of AIMS super specialists at GBPH from Jan 16

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Port Blair, Dec 29: Super Specialists of Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences,Kochi, Kerala will be rendering their services in GB Pant Hospital, Port Blair from 16th to21st January, 2012. The Super Specialists are Dr. Hari Kumar, Gastroenterologist; Dr. George Kurian, Nephrologist; Dr. Kishore P, Plastic Surgeon and Dr. Appu Thomas, Urologist

General public may register their names with Dr. S.S.Singh, Medical Specialist, Dr. Omkar Singh, Medical Specialist in respect of Gastro & Nephro cases and for Plastic surgery & uro cases with Dr. Sukumar Saha, General Surgeon/Dr. Saji Varghese, Surgical Specialist in their respective OPD of GBPH, Port Blair.