IE Briefs

Workshop on HIV/AIDS held at SMCH

LUDHIANA: A day-long sensitisation workshop on HIV/AIDS was held on Wednesday by the Department of Microbiology,DMCH. Professor and head of microbiology,Dr Deepinder Chhina,said that while AIDS is a high-risk disease,it can be prevented if proper precautions are taken and people are made aware of the disease. Speaking about the functioning of “Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre” (ICTC) established by NACO,Chhina said that HIV counselling and testing services began in India in 1997. There are now more than 4,000 such counselling and testing centres across the country. The main functions of a ICTC centre includes conducting HIV diagnostic tests,providing basic information on the modes of HIV transmission and its treatment.

’Lifestyle modifications can prevent cancer’

LUDHIANA: The Cancer Council of India (CCI) organised a lecture for doctors on rectal cancer in the city. Dr Harmeet Kaur,a researcher from M D Anderon Cancer Center,Houston in the US,delivered a lecture in this regard. Renowned cancer super specialist (Oncologist) and CCI executive chairman Dr Devinder Singh Sandhu said,“The main reason behind the rise of cancer in India is increasing life expectancy due to improvement in living conditions. Cancer can be prevented to some extent and treated to a large extent.”

Worldwide 7.6 million people die of cancer each year. In India,there are approximately 3 million cancer patients,with 0.3 million cancer-related deaths reported every year. Cure rate varies according to the stage and type of cancer. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment in a specialised setting is essential to achieve better results. “About 40% cancers can be prevented by lifestyle modifications. In the rest,death can be significantly reduced by screening. Tobacco use alone accounts for 5.4 million deaths per year globally,out of which 1.5 million are cancer deaths due to tobacco,” said Sandhu. High fat diet,sedentary lifestyle,lack of exercise,obesity,less intake of fruits and vegetables,increasing use of pesticides,water pollution,buddha nalla,smoking,alcohol intake,pollution and infections are the common reasons behind cancer,he added.

Annual NCC trainingcamp concludes

LUDHIANA: The 10-day-long combined annual training camp of No.4 (Pb) air sqn NCC concluded in the city on Wednesday at the gole auditorium in Air Force Station Halwara. Air Officer commanding base air Commodore A K Nabh was the chief guest on the occasion. Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya was awarded for being the best troop.