Vikas Vaidya

      By Vikas Vaidya THE sinking of the ‘Phoenix’ gave Captain Saroor Ali a deep satisfaction. A seafarer of over 23 years, he was accustomed to such situations. There was nothing fishy. It was his job, being the East Coast executive Manager of the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), at one of the biggest ship breaking yards of the world in South Africa. It was another feather in the cap of this Nagpurian. Capt Ali has remained a man for sea for most part of his life. He is in and around the sea for almost 40 days, away from his home in Durban. After doing initial education at Nagpur, Capt Ali did his graduation from West Bengal and then with an aim to join Merchant Navy did LLM in Marine Law and appeared for Entrance. He passed the entrance and went to South Africa. However, he never lost touch with Nagpur. Though Capt Ali stays in Durban he made it a point to admit his son, Sahil, to Shri Ramdeobaba College of Engineering and Management in the city. Ca

By Vikas Vaidya Eventhough Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) has given green signal, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Corporation Limited has not put educational institutions, hospitals and dispensaries in non-commercial category. If this is done then these institutions will have reason to smile. Two years ago, Association of Private Managements of Professional Education had pressed that the educational institutions should be put under non-commercial category. Association had argued that education sector can not be called as commercial one as they do serve poor people and impart education. Government agreed and decided to put them under non-commercial category ( (A) (i) - Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Dispensaries so that they had to pay charges fixed for non-commercial activity. Sources said that MSEDCL has sent the proposal to MERC which also approved the same. The Director of MSEDCL has issued the circular in this regard in March 2013. The

Valuation Mess-Up By Vikas Vaidya A boy studying in B.Sc II  was surprised to see his marksheet where he was shown failed in Physics paper. He had asked for his answersheets of Physics papers, when he checked, he was shocked to see that the supplement was checked but original answersheet was kept unchecked. The student may go for revaluation, but then who would be the valuer! Would it be the same person who did it casually? In that case this student might get failed again. If suppose some other teacher would do the valuation but still what would be the guarantee that he would do his duty properly. The question is who will evaluate valuer? If a student after studying sincerely appears in an examination, how he should feel assured that his or her answersheet would be check scrupulously with sincerity? This question has no answer. Not a single Vice-Chancellor throughout the Maharashtra, not a single expert, not a single academician. The question is as difficult as what is the paramet

· By Vikas Vaidya Though Medical Council of India (MCI) has relaxed the rule of giving Eligibility Certificate for the students wanting to study in foreign countries, the troubles have not ended so far. Now Maharashtra Government has refused to give admission in the State quota of Post Graduate intake. Due to severe shortage of MBBS seats in the country, most of the Indian students are opting for medical colleges in China, Russia, Central America, the Philippines among others every year. Getting the degree in these countries is relatively cheaper. A student can complete MBBS abroad in less than Rs 30 lakh. In the state, the student has to pay, apart from the fee, a donation of up to Rs 80 lakh to get a seat in management quota. All this totals to Rs 1.5 crore. Earliers these students had to obtain eligibility certificate from MCI. This data has been obtained from Board of Intermediate Education to verify the age and qualifications for doing MBBS in foreign countries. Now MCI has

                                        By Vikas Vaidya “Urban women are more prone to Osteoporosis, a disease related to bones and found mostly in women. It has become matter of great concern due to large amount of morbidity and motility associated with this disease. This issue needs to be dealt with seriousness,” said Dr Sanjeev Chaudhary, noted Orthopaedic Surgeon of the City. “In view of this problem, in Vidarbha Orthopaedic Society (VOS) we  have conducted research to find out prevalence of Osteoporosis in 11 districts of Vidarbha. Around 3287 women from 11 districts were screened for Bone Mineral Density (BMD). Women were categorised on the basis of their occupation, diet habits and other lifestyle factors. The group consisted of house-wives, urban women in executive jobs, farmers, construction labours, general labours, teachers and tribals of Gadchiroli.” The overall prevalence of Osteoporosis in Vidarbha was found to be 44% and Osteoporosis was found to be highest in w

By Vikas Vaidya “Increasing vacancies in technical institutions is the issue of concern and proper perspective plan can be the answer to this problem. While preparing this plan, the need for the engineering colleges should be taken care matching with the number of eligible students,” said Dr S S Mantha, Chairman of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). Dr Mantha pointed out that though AICTE took every care so that the large number of seats in technical education should not remain vacant. AICTE allotted colleges as per the rules and number of colleges mushroomed, but barring few, others could not perform or maintain quality. Because of this, though the number of aspirants increased but they opted for less number of colleges which were maintaining quality, added Dr Mantha. Recently, the issue of vacancies disturbed Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and on his behest, a committee was constituted to study the reasons behind the creation of vacancies in technical institu

By Vikas Vaidya The decision of Pravesh Niyantran Samiti (Admission Regulatory Committee) (PNS) asking medical institutions to admit students from one CET only has brought students in trouble. Not only that various branches too are facing problems. Due to implementation of this rule, it is feared that over 2,000 seats of Under Graduate Nursing may remain vacant. Because of this decision, students of this region may have to go out of this region to take admission, if they don’t get admission to the college in their respective regions. Samiti has also made it clear that, the rule would be applicable to all branches of medical fraternity. Meanwhile, Indian Nursing Council has extended last date of admission to October 31. It has been the experience of the college that if the college draws the students only from Asso-CET, seats go vacant for want of enough students. It was therefore necessary for them to draw the students from other sources additionally. Samiti after carefully going t

By Vikas Vaidya “The burn injuries are not taken seriously in our countries because of which many patients die. The cost of treating burn patients who received injuries more than 60 per cent is much high, may go to Rs 10 to 15 lakh. But existence of Skin Bank makes a difference, the cost cut down by one fourth and which is a good thing. I am offering all kind of help to the hospitals in India if they are willing to open Skin Bank,” said Dr S M Keswani, Plastic Cosmetic and Burns Surgeon. He pioneered Skin Bank concept in India by opening first such bank in Mumbai. He was in city to deliver lecture in a symposium on Burns organised by Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) Dr Keswani said, “When patient gets more than 60 per cent burn injuries he or she needs to be treated immediately. These patients need skin grafting, because dead skin gets infected and invites bacteria which is more dangerous. We remove the dead skin and put the donor’s skin on. If it is not done within 72 hours of

By Vikas Vaidya “The city’s town planning should have open space focusing health aspect. The town planning of respective cities should be made in a such way that open spaces should be created where people can exercise, have a healthy walk or children can play,” pointed Dr Prashant Jagtap, Interventional Cardiologist of Wockhardt Hospital. Dr Jagtap said, “There should be lobbying for creating places where recreational activities can be conducted. There should be place where there can be green space for children to play. Lack of planning have ill-impact on people. The proper planning can create healthy atmosphere ultimately helping citizens to get healthy lifestyle.” According to Dr Jagtap not only addiction but societal factors influence heart attack. In Japan due to cohesion, and social equality, incidences of heart diseases are very less. In countries like Russia and others which were part of USSR, socio-economic inequality created after the split of USSR. There is surge in hear

By Vikas Vaidya The decision of Pravesh Niyantran Samiti (Admission Regulatory Committee) asking medical institutions to admit students from one CET only has brought students in trouble. Because of this decision, students of this region may have to go out of this region to take admission, if they dont get admission to the college in their respective regions. Samiti has also made it clear that, the rule would be applicable to other branches. PNS has received a letter pointing the fact that to fill the vacant seats for admissions to first vear BDS course for the academic year 2013-14 from amonqst the qualified students of NEET-CET 2013 in case vacancies could not be filled in from amongst the students of Asso-CET 2013. Samiti perused the letter under reference. It is stated that the college is located in hilly and rural area. It has been the experience of the college that if the college draws the students only from Asso-CET, seats go vacant for want of enough students. It was theref

By Vikas Vaidya Suresh Shetty, Maharashtra’s Minister of Public Health in a high level meeting held in Mantralaya asked officials not to spare those who violate Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) act.  In the meeting several measures were decided which might fetch far reaching results. The minister emphasized to all the official in public health department to be proactive and asked them to see that the violators of PCPNDT act are not spared. It was also decided to request the Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan to provide all logistical help in the statewide drive to check the violators of this act and book them speedily and try to punish them at the earliest. The meeting also discussed doctors who were caught in determining sex of the fetus in sting operations. Henceforth, it was decided that there will be better collaboration between the state nodal agency and Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC). State nodal agency would depute officers to reinforce the pr

By Vikas Vaidya It was in 1974, when he completed his five years of professional training in Cancer treatment in United Kingdom. He got lucrative offers from USA, Tata Cancer Hospital, Ruby Clinic, Pune. The choice was difficult at that time especially with more lucrative offers. But he refused and decided to stay in Nagpur to serve the people here only. He realised that the facility to treat the cancer is absent in Nagpur and he became founder Director of Rashtra Sant Tukadoji Cancer Hospital. Dr Harish Kulkarni who had to make early struggle to get admission to MBBS is celebrating his 80th birthday on Sunday, September 15. By the grace of God, he is healthy fit and fine and still practice. His father Dr Trimbak Waman Kulkarni was the first Radiologist of Central India. Dr Harish too felt that he should become doctor. But his luck was not in his favour. His number was 49 and there were 48 seats. Then he completed B.Sc and went to get admission to MBBS. By that time seats too wer

By Vikas Vaidya It's not just the lack of sleep, but sleep patterns and routines too, influence and determine your health, reveled Dr Rajesh Swarnakar, well-known Chest Physician at Getwell Hospital. Dr Swarnakar said, “If you can not sleep during night hours, and have to sleep during daytime, then it may be lead to increase in waist. Women can experience decreased fertility and also there is a risk of cancer for men and women both. Losing out on sleep during the night could also make you more likely to demonstrate dark personality traits such as deceitfulness and narcissism.” Dr Sushant Meshram, who has Sleep Centre which is Central India’s first one said, “Everybody knows the importance of a good night's sleep. Lack of good sleep many times result into feeling low on energy, lethargic, weak. If one has lack of sleep for the whole month, then his or her social life becomes difficult. Lack of sleep is also associated with some major lifestyle diseases too.” Dr Nainesh Pate

By Vikas Vaidya There are boards displayed near Government Medical College and Hospital and Super Speciality Hospital, reading ‘bypass taliye’ (Avoid bypass). Some doctors advertise chelation therapy can be an alternative to bypass. Experts warn that there is no alternative to bypass and Chelation therapy can be very dangerous. No approved medical research has found any benefits to chelation therapy for any use other than removal of heavy metals from the body. One Cardiologist at Super Speciality Hospital said that U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers over-the-counter (OTC) chelation products to be unapproved drugs and devices. There are no FDA-approved OTC chelation products, says one doctor on condition of anonymity Dr Sameer Mehta, world famous Cardiologist bluntly opposed the chelation therapy. He said, it can lead to many side-effects, and one should not go for chelation therapy. The use of EDTA chelation therapy as a treatment for coronary artery disease has not

By Vikas Vaidya Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education (MSBTE) has patented eight projects prepared by students of various polytechnic colleges in State. Around 26 projects are in pipeline, the applications of which have been filed for patenting. Out of the eight projects the two are from Vidarbha. They include Agnihotri School of Technology, Wardha and P R Patil Institute of Polytechnic and Technology, Amravati. In the projects those are in pipeline has two institutes from Vidarbha, they include P R Patil Institute of Polytechnic and Technology, Amravati and Priyadarshini Polytechnic, Nagpur MSBTE has been conducting contest under ‘Promoting Creativity and Talent’ for various polytechnic colleges in State. The judge committee comprising of academician, industry expert selects the project and MSBTE give away the award. MSBTE has from last two years been conducting "Project Competition" for final year diploma students at various institutions in Maharashtra state

By Vikas Vaidya Correct reporting of any health event is the key-factor becasue then awareness can be spread amongst masses in a proper way. Many times, the health events, statistics are reported without authentic base. This needs to be dealt with proper care. For this, R Shankar, President of Heal Foundation is trying to create pool of doctors throughout India. This pool will help journalists to write right information. “We are creating a pool of doctors so that any journalist of India can approach the doctor in this team to know the correct information. Medical terminologies is one thing and the process of healing of the patient is another aspect. One needs to understand this whole process. While writting report either one must be aware about the process, else they should have someone who can make them understand the process. Unless the journalist understand, he or she cant write correct report or if they write the vague report then it would go tangent to the readers,” said R

                                                               Dr Shashank Joshi                                                    Brian Pinto                                                                   Neeti Desai By Vikas Vaidya Eminent Endocrinologists, Cardiologists and Diet Experts at the third National Health Writers and Editors Convention organized by HEAL Foundation, stressed on the importance of high potency of antioxidants in cooking oil, and identified it as an imperative approach to prevent heart diseases. They agreed that cooking oil with high potency of antioxidants help scavenge free radicals. And this scavenging process helps reduce Cardio Vascular Disease (CVD) risk. “The rising incidence of heart diseases in the country calls for immediate action,” distinguished cardiologist Dr. Brian Pinto said. “I strongly believe that edible oils with high antioxidant power could be an excellent preventive approach, especially considering the high consumpt

By Vikas Vaidya Concerns over milk safety and nutrition for children were addressed at the Third National Health Writers and Editors Convention organised by HEAL Foundation, with experts reviewing a recently conducted study that revealed low awareness among Indian mothers on the relation between milk boiling and nutrition loss. An entire session was devoted to “Milk in the New Millennium - Innovative Dairy Technology and Child Health,” with distinguished speakers talking about the importance of nutrition in early childhood and the important role milk plays in nutrition of children. According to the study, conducted by Tetra Pak in collaboration with research-based agency Millward Brown, only 17% of mothers surveyed believed that boiling milk affects its nutritional properties. Even more startling is that 59% mothers felt boiling increases milk’s nutritional value and 24% felt it does not impact its nutritional properties. Dr Kalpesh Date, Pediatrician and Neonatologist said, “M

    By Vikas Vaidya WHEN 45 year-old Kusum Wankhede of Kolhu village, Katol tehsil came to Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMCH), nobody thought that her case would throw a light on new disease as far as medical fraternity of Central India is concerned. She had multi-organ dysfunction with involvement of liver, kidneys, lungs and meningitis and her platelets were reduced. Malaria and Dengue were suspected and ruled out by specific blood tests. Scrub Typhus was suspected when careful examination revealed a black mark (left by mite’s bite) called eschar was noticed over the patient’s right side of the chest. The eschar, which occurs at the site where the mite bites is the single most clinical diagnostic clue. Dr Prashant Joshi, Professor and Head, Department of Medicine, IGGMCH checked her and identified that she was suffering from Scrub Typhus, a new disease in human. It was identified earlier in other parts of the countr

By Vikas Vaidya Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranarayanan has consented to an idea of setting up separate vocational, sports and technical universities in the State, proposed by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan. This idea was put in the meeting of Joint Board of Vice-Chancellors (JBVC) held at Mumbai, chaired by the Governor as Chancellor of State universities, at State Guest House, Shayadri, on Tuesday. The meeting was attended by Vice-Chacellors of Non-Agricultural Universities. Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan; Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar; Minister for Higher and Technical Education Rajesh Tope; Minister for Medical Education Dr Vijay Kumar Gavit; Minister for Public Health Suresh Shetty; Minister for State for Higher and Technical Education D P Sawant; Minister of State for Finance Rajendra Mulak; Chief Secretary Dr Jayantkumar Banthia; Additional Chief Secretary, Public Health T C Benjamin; Additional Chief Secretary, Medical Education Anand Kulkarni; Principal Secretary,

By Vikas Vaidya The convocation of IIT, Powai on August 10 witnessed an unusual happening. One of the degrees was received by father of the student, and that too, when the student had not appeared for the final examination! The extraordinary story of a young student, whose big dreams were shattered by the whims of fate, had compelled the institute to make an exception. His father, Siddharth Dhoke, a loco-pilot with Central Railways, recieved the degree with moist eyes. Siddharth Dhoke accepted the degree at the hands of Abhay Karandikar, Professor and Head of Department of Electrical Engineering. With his intellect and compassionate nature, Akshay had left a mark which made the institute award him the degree posthumously. His father, not a very rich man, too did not lag behind. He gave an amount of Rs 2 lakh to IIT, Powai, so that every topper in Microelectronics could be given medal and three students of weaker section could get scholarship for research project. Siddha