CMCH completed 200 Stem Cell transplants

 Shukriya Punjab event celebrated with with joy and confidence 

Ludhiana: 17th November 2021: (Kartika Singh//Punjab Screen Bureau)::

Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, recently completed 200 Stem Cell transplants of Patients–a significant milestone for Punjab, by the Department of Clinical Haematology, which started its journey in 2008. 

To celebrate this milestone, a thanksgiving meeting was organised on Wednesday, 17th November 2021.  The official inauguration of the at 10.00 am.  

Dr. M Joseph John, HOD and Professor, Department of Clinical Haematology took the audience through the journey of stem cell transplantation.  This was followed by the address by Dr. William Bhatti, Director, CMCL who invited the chief guest. 

Dr. S. P. Singh Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana, who was the Chief Guest inaugurated the function. He felicitated the event with his thoughtful words and emphasized the contributions made by CMC Hospital for the overall development of the citizens of Punjab. 

Well-wishers and people of eminence from all over the world felicitated the event through recorded messages.  

The Transplant Patients accompanied by their families were the guests of honour. 

After the inaugural session, cultural programmes followed by a ramp walk by the Patients and Donors were really mesmerizing and a feast for the eyes. Fun games were conducted for the Champions (Transplanted Patients) and our Superheroes (who have donated their Stem Cell). Patrons and well-wishers of CMC Ludhiana were also felicitated. 

The programme was concluded with a vote of thanks by Mrs Sangeetha Samuel, Deputy Nursing Supdt.

Walkathon for a Healthy Smile

 Children’s Day Celebrated by CDC Ludhiana 

Ludhiana: 15th November 2021: (Kartika Singh and Punjab Screen Desk)::

On the occasion of Children’s Day department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry of Christian Dental College organized a Walkathon for spreading awareness regarding Childhood Oral health diseases and prevention.  About 120 dental health care professionals and students took part in the event commencing at 06:30 am from Rakh Bagh to CMC Campus.    Dr. William Bhatti, Director CMC Ludhiana flagged off the event.  Shri Pardeep Kumar Sabbarwal, Municipal Commissioner was the Chief Guest of the occasion.  Through this walkathon Christian Dental College faculty and students conveyed the message of prevention of dental diseases for a healthy smile with early check-up and doing preventive and interceptive measures.  

On this occasion at the Pediatric Dentistry department Children’s Day was celebrated with the children of Morning Star School, Nur Manzil.  Through the next two week there is a special campaign ‘Bright future smile’ to endorse better oral health practices in children.  Dr. William Bhatti Director appreciated the efforts of the department in bringing community awareness regarding burden of childhood dental diseases.  Dr.  Abi M. Thomas, Principal CDC.

I still remember that during 20216 CMC institute has nas an old association with children day and kids too. Nearly 30 children having undergone open heart surgery at the Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) were invited to celebrate the Children’s Day. These kids expressed their gratitude to the doctors, staff and ‘Have a Heart’ foundation and its president Balbir Kumar.

Balbir Kumar was felicitated at the function for helping the children to undergo the surgery through his foundation. The president and trustees of the foundation assured constant support in future too for treatment of cardiac patients with financial and moral support.

While speaking on the occasion, Dr Abraham G Thomas, Director CMCH, reinforced the commitment to serve the sick and the needy with compassion and care. Dr Allen Joseph, Professor and Head of the Department, honoured the CMCH Director and extended warm welcome to the faculty and trustees of ‘Have a Heart” and all heart patients.

Dr Christopher Roy, Senior Consultant and Paediatric Cardiac Surgeon, made a presentation on problems of cardiac disease in India.

Dr Namrata Gaur, Senior Consultant Cardiac Surgeon, who conducted the show spoke about the mission of the CMCH to provide services in far flung and remote areas of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal, Jammu and Kashmir along with all north-west India.

The CMCH Medical superintendent Dr William Bhatti, pediatricians, cardiologists, surgeons and many senior faculty members attended the programme and keenly participated in celebrating little hearts.

Remembering last year 2020 event related to children day it was under the shadow of Covid-19. A terror of Corona was every where but CMC was aware and remained dedicated to the welfare of society.

Experts Views on “Saving Liver, Saving Life”

 Liver disease has become rampant in the region of Punjab 

Ludhiana: 6th November 2021: (Punjab Screen Bureau)::

In the last decade, liver disease has become rampant in the region of Punjab due to large burden of obese & diabetic population with fatty liver, alcohol & drug abuse and high rate of HCV infection. Progressive liver disease leads to liver cirrhosis, failure and liver cancer causing untimely death. The only ray of hope for long term survival in such patients is Liver transplantation. 

Due to lack of adequate liver transplant services in Punjab, AGI-The GASTROCITI, LUDHIANA keeping its promise of delivering the best healthcare services to the needy people took the first initiative to collaborate with Jaypee Hospital (Noida) and started Liver Transplantation services in February 2021 at LUDHIANA. The liver transplant programme was designed with patient screening, assessment, pre-transplantation workup and post surgical follow up at AGI - The GASTROCITI, LUDHIANA. Surgical services were provided by Dr. Punit Singla, Associate Director, Department of Liver Transplant & Surgical Gastroenterology, Jaypee Hospital (Noida).

The Team has now successfully completed five liver transplants in a short span of six months, barring 3 months deferment due to second wave of COVID-19 when the services were temporarily interrupted. The teamwork of three eminent Gastroenterologists namely Dr. Nirmaljeet Singh Malhi, Dr. Rajiv Grover & Dr. Jasmeet Singh Dhingra and Gastro Surgeon Dr. Harpal Singh in collaboration with Liver Transplant Surgeon Dr Punit Singla offers complete umbrella services to patients needing medical therapy, transplant surgery, holistic pre & post transplant care and most importantly listing of recipients for cadaveric transplant who do not have living donor in their family. 

It is a matter of great pride that after proper counseling, timely referral and expert pre & post transplant care, all the five liver transplants were completed with 100% success rate and this is an achievement of substantial proportions for the entire region. It is very encouraging and an eye opener for the society that women are leading and courageously coming forward to donate a part of their liver to loved ones. Recalling his experience, the first liver transplant patient Mr. Soni said life had become too difficult due to repeated abdominal fluid collection & blood loss as a result of end stage liver disease. His life span was limited to a few weeks to months without liver transplant. His daughter came forward to donate a part of her liver to her ailing father despite being young and unmarried. The patient underwent a successful liver transplant, which lasted for around 10 hours. Both donor and the recipient are now fine. 

Another three patients, underwent liver transplant where in their spouses donated a part of liver for the procedure. Such successful cases and courageous donors are the need of the hour for liver patients in Punjab. Some patients don’t have any eligible family donors. Since organ donation is the most generous gift known to mankind which can create a legacy of life, our fifth transplant patient Mr. Puri was fortunate that he could get cadaveric liver as he was listed in cadaveric list prior. A special “Green Corridor” was created in Delhi for the procedure. He is doing fine and has been successfully discharged. 

As the only ray of hope for long term survival in end stage liver disease (cirrhosis) patients is liver transplantation and there is a grave scarcity of quality liver transplant services in region of Punjab and its surrounding areas, this concept of wholesome patient care under one roof and collaborative team work of A.G.I- The Gastrociti Ludhiana & Jaypee Hospital Noida is a big boon for people of Punjab and will help the needy and liver disease patients in a big way.