Test shows 51 out of 115 traffic cops have a lung problem

Most policemen who took the test told Newsline that it was the first in their careers. GL Chandanshive,51,had “never heard of tests to detect the capacity of lungs” in his 25 year career. “We are on the roads all day long. It is natural that our lungs will start showing the signs,” said Chandanshive. He was one of those who had been asked to return to the hospital for further tests. “I do not know if I can afford the treatment here. I will try to get the treatment from Nagpada police hospital,” he said.

Though the test was conducted free of cost at the hospital,doctors could not comment on the costs of the future course of treatment. “We are still processing the reports. We will ask those with abnormal lung functioning to return next week,” said Dr Amit Panjwani. Shankar Salunke,54,who was found to have borderline problems in his lungs,said,“ I have worked in the traffic department for 30 years. We have never been told of such a test. Now that I know my lungs are in the borderline stage,I will be more careful.” Dr Rai said as it an occupational hazard for traffic policemen,what is needed is a mass screening by the government to determine the true magnitude of the problem.

Incidentally,most policemen were not aware that the Nagpada Police Hospital offers a similar test. “We have not conducted any screenings,but if our chest physician suspects any lung abnormality in any patient,it is prescribed,” said police sturgeon Dr SM Patil. However,he could not comment on how many traffic policemen had been put through the test in the past few months.