Journalism of Courage
Building capacity
The Department of Medical Education and Technology,Maharashtra University of Health Sciences,Regional Centre,Pune conducted a National Consultation on Human Capacity Building in Emergency,trauma and disaster management in collaboration with the National Center for Injury Prevention,Centers for Disease Control (CDC),Department of Health and Human Services,US in Pune. Specialists and experts in Emergency,Trauma and Disaster Management participated in this consultation. These include senior officials from the National Disaster Management Authority,New Delhi,Faculty from premier medical institutions from all over the country,including the Armed Forces Medical College,US experts from Center for Disease Control,Johns Hopkins University,Scripps Foundation and Emory University,US. Dr Mridula Phadke,Vice Chancellor,MUHS welcomed the guests and emphasised the need for preparedness for emergencies and to train all medical professionals to handle all types of eventualities. Dr Payal Bansal of the Department of MET MUHS proposed a curriculum plan for in-service medical officers and medical college faculty for developing and strengthening medical services and response in emergency,trauma and disasters. This included modules on Essentials of Emergency,Trauma and Disaster,Systems Planning Module,Communication skills module and Psychosocial issues related to these events. Skills training will be an integral part of this training,which will be followed by a comprehensive assessment of trainees.
Orthopaedic camp
A medical camp to treat patients suffering from bone related problems was inaugurated this morning by Sunita Khanna,President,Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) Southern Command at a function at the Rajendra Singhji Institute (RSI). Dr G L Parashar,a renowned osteopath will be treating bone related disorders such as backache,slip disc,knee pain,joint pain. Osteopathy requires no medicines or complicated diagnostic tests but is an ancient Indian medicinal practice in which fingers are used for treatment. Dr Prashar has been treating all serving defence persons,veterans,their dependents and desperate patients from Pune and areas around in the health camp organised by Southern Command AWWA (Army Wives Welfare Organisation). Civilians will be seen by the team of doctors led by Dr. GL Prashar from 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm and from 4.30 pm to 5 pm daily. Speaking on the sidelines of the camp,Dr Parashar said lifestyle diseases are a bigger threat facing the civilisation instead of diseases such as AIDS,cancer or cardiac diseases. It is high time we realise this threat and do something about it. Osteopathy is based on the theory that diseases are caused due to loss of structural equilibrium which can be restored by manipulation. Dr Parashar said appropriate study posture,standing posture,sleeping posture are crucial and appropriate legislation on proper postured furniture in schools and offices would support public health.
An immunisation drive was conducted by Dept of Pediatrics,AFMC on March 15 under the aegis of Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA). The event was the result of the priority laid down by Dr (Mrs) Jatinder Ravindranath,President AWWA (AFMC) who presided over the function. A teaching CD on the importance of breast feeding,prepared by the Department of Pediatrics was also released on the occasion by her. In her inaugural address to the dependent clientele she stressed the importance of the timely immunization of children and the benefits of Breast Feeding. She also stressed on imparting knowledge on vaccines such as typhoid,MMR to prevent these infectious diseases. Information was collected about the children of all unit personnel regarding their immunization status. In the first phase children who have missed the primary vaccines were covered and also the typhoid vaccine and MMR were given. Around 200 children benefited by the program. Thereafter opportunity will be provided for administration of newer optional vaccines like chickenpox and Hepatitis A. Dr (Mrs) Jatinder Ravindranath,on seeing the good response from the families,has announced that this immunization drive shall be conducted on a regular basis. All personnel proceeding on leave or joining this unit will have to certify complete immunization of their children.
(compiled by Anuradha Mascarenhas)
