Journalism of Courage
Self-medication warning
Paediatrician Dr Pramod Jog,vice president of the Infectious Diseases chapter of the Indian Academy Of Paediatrics,has appealed that patients suffering from flu-like symptoms should not indulge in ‘over the counter’ purchase remedies,without prior medical consultation. Speaking at a meeting arranged by the Pune Parent-Teacher Association on Sunday,Dr Jog informed that the incidence of swine flu is on the rise. There are plenty of patients suffering from cough,cold and fever. Quite a few patients proceed to the chemist without consulting doctors and the chemists too dispense medicines over the counter. In case there are patients of swine flu among those purchasing the medicines directly,there is a likelihood of delay in the initiation of the treatment for swine flu,worsening matters, said Dr Jog.
An eye for a cure
Retinoblastoma is a form of cancer affecting the eyes of small children. If not treated in time,the patient may lose his sight,or even end up losing his life. H.V. Desai Hospital,located in Hadapsar,Pune,has been treating retinoblastoma patients for the past five years. Earlier,the only treatment possible was the removal of eyes,but today,the eyes of the ptient can recover without much damage. This hospital has treated 50 such patients in five years. Thermo-therapy is one such method of treatment. IRIDEX Corporation has donated the thermo-therapy machine to H.V. Desai Eye Hospital to aid the treatment of poor children to be treated free of charge. Dr Sucheta Kulkarni and Dr Nikhil Rishikeshi will attend to the retinoblastoma patients,while Dr. Shona Nag from the Sahyadri Specialty hospital has been roped in to provide chemotherapy and X-ray therapy. Dr. Risikeshi will visit the Birmingham Children Hospital for special training,sponsored by Dr Parulekar,a pediatrician,from the UK.
