IMA Member Dr. Jorson Fernandes deputed to attend the National Seminar on “Health in Detention” organized by IMA HQS, N Delhi on 27-28th April 2007.
STATE LEVEL SYMPOSIUM ON WORLD HEALTH DAY 2007
The Indian Medical Association Goa State and Goa Medical College Staff Society conducted a Symposium at the GCCI Convention Hall on 8th April 2007 to commemorate the World Health Day 2007. Dr. V. N. Jindal, Dean, GMC was the Chief Guest. He stated that it is important for all concerned sectors at local, national & international to work together to ensure health security. The Director of Health Services, Dr. A. V. Salelkar was the Guest of Honour. Others present for the inaugural function were Dr. Atchut R Kakodkar, IMA Goa State President, Dr. P. V. Rataboli, President Goa Medical Staff Society, Dr. Francisco Colaco, the Immediate Past President, Dr. Jagdish A Kakodkar, Hon Secretary IMA Goa State & Dr. P. E. Natekar, Secretary Goa Medical Staff Society.
The Symposium comprised of 3 interactive sessions. Dr. D. Bant, Professor & HOD, Dept of Community Medicine, KIMS Hubli gave a presentation on the World Health Day 2007 Theme: International Health Security. Dr. Edwin Gomes, Associate Professor, Dept of Medicine, Goa Medical College spoke on Pitfalls in diagnosis & management of infectious diseases. Dr. R. Tamba, State Epidemiologist DHS delivered the lecture on Epidemic Preparedness. 90 IMA & GMC Doctors Registered for the Symposium.
IMA GOA STATE & MUSKAAN CANCER AWARENESS
& DETECTION CAMPAIGN 2007, UNDER AAO GAON CHALEN
Recent reports have indicated rising trends in the incidence of cancers among Goans, predominantly among women. E.g. Within the last 3 decades the annual incidence of reported breast cancer cases in Goa Medical College rose from 14 to 250. The morbidity and mortality from cancers is even greater amongst the rural populations as they report in the late stages due to various factors e.g. ignorance, poverty, unhealthy lifestyles including tobacco use, lack of awareness about warning symptoms of cancers & availability of medical care.
It is against this background that under the Aao Gaon Chalen Program, the Indian Medical Association Goa State and Muskaan joined hands to stem the tide of cancers in Goa, in partnership with Goa Medical College & Directorate of Health Services by launching the Cancer Awareness and Detection Campaign 2007. The Campaign shall mainly span remote villages that are adopted by each of the 7 IMA Branches in Goa, thus embodying the current Theme launched by the IMA Goa State President Dr. Atchut Kakodkar, “Working together works!”
Muskaan– is a trust for persons with cancer, continuing with its efforts in creating awareness about cancer and educating people on various aspects of prevention and early detection of cancer.
The first phase of this campaign was carried out under the IMA CQS Branch at its adopted Cotarlim village, which is in Sanguem taluka. During the awareness camp held on 9th May, a gathering of about 100 people were educated on various aspects of causes, prevention and early detection of cancer. Women were addressed about the importance of breast self examination. A questionnaire about causes of the common cancers found in the community was handed to the attendees. On basis of which the persons with early signs of any suspicious cancer were called for a Cancer detection camp subsequently held at P.H.C. Sanguem on the 13th May. Printed literature on Self breast examination and Pap smears in local vernacular language was circulated among the attendees.
The Cancer detection camp received an overwhelming response. About 59 women and 25 men attended the camp. All the men and women were examined by the eminent surgeons, gynecologists, dental surgeon, and radiologist drawn from IMA & DHS. Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Dr. Shekhar Kharangate, Dr. Sanjiv Dalvi, Dr. Vishnu Sheldekar, Dr. Vinayak Buvaji, Dr. Satyesh Kamat & Dr. Ravindra Rivonkar were the IMA members who examined the patients. The Camp received the active cooperation of IMA CQS Members Dr. Vishnu Vaidya and the Health Officer PHC Sanguem Dr. Anil Kakodkar & his Staff.
The women with suspicious breast findings were further investigated radiologically, with help of Sono-mammography which was done at the camp site. All the women examined by the gynecologists,had their Pap smears taken which were subsequently sent for reportingat Dept of Pathology, Goa Medical College. The dental surgeon Dr. Ramnath Panchwadkar undertook the responsibility of examining the oral hygiene of all the patients who attended the camp. The male attendees above the age of 50 were investigated for any early signs of the cancer of the prostate gland with the help of PSA test.
The women who underwent investigations for their breast symptoms, and were found to have breast lesions on Sono- mammography were referred to Dept. of Surgery, GMC for FNAC and biopsy. These three patients were found to have infiltrating duct Ca grade III, fibrocystic disease of the breast and a breast lipoma respectively, and were advised strict follow up with the surgeons at GMC. The young lady with carcinoma has already been operated upon and will be given the chemotherapy & radiotherapy subsequently free of cost as assured by the Dean, GMC Dr. V.N. Jindal.
One patient with Psoriasis was referred to the Dept of Skin at Goa Medical College for treatment and follow up.
Out of all the attendees of the camp, two cases with oral sub mucous fibrosis with dysplasia and two cases of leukoplakia of the cheek refused follow up.
Pap smear reports showed twelve case of borderline cervical dysplasia that were treated with Betadine pessaries for 5 days and were asked to repeat the Pap smears. Four cases of cervical dysplasia with suspected early changes of Ca Cervix were advised to undergo biopsy of the cervix at the Hospicio Hospital. One among them was detected with Ca Cervix and referred for further management at GMC.
One case of thyroid swelling was investigated with Ultrasound and was asked to undergo an investigation for Thyroid hormones (T3, T4 and TSH).
One patient had high PSA levels and was advised evaluation for Ca prostate at GMC.
IMA Goa State has aided the Muskaan team to reach out to the grassroots in the rural areas with the objective to provide cancer education to each and everyone in the community. This particular village of Cotarlim populated with just about 600 people is placed in a remote part of Sanguem taluka. Goa being an urbanized state that it is, even a small village like Cotarlim is not far behind westernization. Therefore the lifestyle diseases like cancer are also creeping into this community. Every household in this village is provided with running tap water, so women drawing water from the wells is a rare site, most women refrain from grinding masalas on the grinding stones and are using electric mixers and grinders, girls are educated and are working outside homes in the offices. So, even a village like Cotarlim is paying the prize of urbanization in its own small way, as it presently has 3 women suffering from malignant/benign breast diseases in the community.
The next Campaign was held by the IMA Margao Branch at Balli, Cuncolim. A Cancer Awareness Program on warning symptoms of Cancers for men and women was held at Panchayat Hall, Balli on Doctors Day (1st July), where in the attending 60 participants were given information on common cancers by Dr. R. Wiseman Pinto, Professor & HOD, Goa Medical College. During this Awareness Program all the participants were provided with information material and a questionnaire on symptoms of common cancers. Those with history suggestive of cancer were encouraged to attend the Cancer Detection Camp that shall be held at Primary Health Centre, Balli on Sunday, 15th July. About 180 patients underwent clinical examinations at the Detection Camp on 15th July with various specialist doctors. Those detected to have Cancers would be followed up & given suitable referral within a fortnight. Cancer patients are then operated & treated free of cost at Goa Medical College with the valuable cooperation of Dr. V. N. Jindal, Dean, GMC & the Departments of Surgery & OBG, GMC and Hospicio Hospital.
The Surgeons who examined women for Ca breast and also abdominal/pelvic malignancies were Dr. Shekhar Salkar, Dr. A Y Kharangate, Dr. Deepa Correia. The Gynaecologists who examined women for Ca cervix were Dr. Baburao Dessai & Dr. Damodar Redkar. Dr. Rock Wiseman Pinto, Prof & HOD, Dept of Pathology, GMC & his Team evaluated PAP smears and Dr. Babita Prabhudesai examined for Ca Prostate by performing PSA Test. Women suspected to have Ca breast were subjected to Mammography by Dr. Ravindra Rivonkar, eminent Radiologist. The patients were also screened for oral cancers by the Public Health Dentist, Dr. Charlotte. Screening of the patients was performed by means of questionnaires and Dr. Geeta Kakodkar, Dr. Sunil Kakodkar, Dr. Poonam Verenkar, Dr. Pramila Viegas & Dr. Shaba Gaonkar gave their valuable support for the Detection Camp. Among the dignitaries for the Campaign were Dr. Atchut Kakodkar, IMA State President, Dr. Jagdish Kakodkar, IMA State Secretary & co-ordinator of the Campaign, Dr. Dipak Kamat, IMA Margao President, Dr. R. M. Shirwant, Smt. Babita Aggarwal (Trustee, Muskaan) & Dr. Sharmila Sardessai (Trustee, Muskaan). The organizers wholeheartedly thanked the Staff of PHC Balli & the local community for their active co-operation. The next Campaign shall be conducted through IMA Ponda at its adopted village, Madkai on 11th & 15th August 2007. The Campaign shall be later held in the remaining villages that are adopted by the 5 other IMA Branches in Goa, namely Mormugao, Bardez, Bicholim, and Tiswadi.
The Campaign has taught us many lessons. One is that cancers are detected even amongst the poor rural masses. & we can make a difference to their longevity through our efforts. We at Muskaan & IMA, therefore do agree that all of us need to change with times. It is high time we change gears to face the challenge of non-communicable diseases like cancers, while we continue to tackle the endemic infectious diseases. We believe that each and every citizen of Goa, be it urban or rural has to be educated about cancer its prevention and early detection and offered appropriate early cancer detection services!
WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY: 31ST MAY 2007
To observe the WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY 2007, The Indian Medical Association Goa State and Goa Medical College Staff Society jointly organized a Inter-Collegiate Poster Competition for Professional Colleges, with the prime objective of generating awareness amongst the youth about the harmful effects of tobacco use and the various measures for its control.
The participants submitted their entries on the same day in the 2nd Floor, Faculty Block, Goa Medical College – Bambolim, where their entries were scrutinized by a Team of Experts and later displayed at the GMC Auditorium. The 1st Prize was of
Rs. 2,000/-, 2nd Prize: Rs. 1,000/-, 3rd Prize: Rs. 500/- & there were 2 consolation prizes of Rs.250/- each The prizes were co-sponsored by NOTE & IMA Goa State. Prizes were distributed after the Symposium which was organized from 3 pm onwards in the Auditorium Hall, New Library Block, Goa Medical College – Bambolim.
The Symposium comprised of 3 talks by the following eminent speakers:
1. Dr. Shekhar Salkar: Health effects of tobacco use
2. Dr. Hemangini Shah: Theme of World No Tobacco Day (Smoke free workplace)
3. Shri Veljee, Dy Director, FDA: Legislative measures for tobacco control
5. Anemia Free India Campaigns and Women’s wing activities: are being conducted by all the Branches in the rural areas and are co-ordinated by the State Co-ordinator Dr. Purnima Usgaonkar. They will be reported separately by her to the HQS.
6. IMA Students Wing: is proposed to be set up at the Goa Medical College. The first activity shall be held in August 2007 by arranging a visit of the Students Wing Members alongwith IMA Members to the AIDS Orphanage at Cavellosim, South Goa.
7. Membership drive: 11 new Members have joined IMA under 2 Branches of Bardez & Mormugao and a State Level Symposium will be held shortly where Faculty Members & Resident Doctors of Goa Medical College will be invited to attend, to increase Membership.
5. Official Meetings attended by State President / Sate Secretary: All Meetings & Workshops have been regularly attended, including the following:-
1. April 2007: Meeting of concerned agencies for achieving control of Vector-Borne Diseases at DHS
2. 4th April 2007: Meeting of the State Health Society with Chief Secretary. Proposals of IMA Goa State suggested to DHS towards Aao Gaon Chalen, Anemia Detection Camps, Cancer Detection Campaign & School Health Education Programs.
3. 17th May 2007: Meting of experts at DHS to develop action plan for improvement of existing health indicators in Goa.
Suggestions submitted to DHS for steps to be undertaken for improvement of the required indicators. Proposal submitted to DHS of conducting a Workshop to observe World Breast Feeding Week under the aegis of IMA Goa State & IMA Bardez
