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Monthly Newsletter from Indian Medical Association

Cochin Branch imac94

IMA House, J.N. International Stadium Road, Palarivattom P.O., Cochin 682 025 Ph : 6468466 Email : imacochin@gmail.com Website : imacochin.org Printed & published by IMA Cochin for circulation among IMA members only. design & production: pixel studio, cochin-28 & 2806 301

PRESIDENTDr. S. Sachidananda Kamath

Welcare Hospital, Vyttila, Cochin 682 019Ph: 0484-4091111(O), 2362774(R)

Mob : 98470 57766, Email : sskamath@vsnl.net

HoN. SEcRETaRyDr. M. Narayanan

34/2254-A, ‘Sarovaram’, Mamangalam, Cochin 682 025Ph: 0484-2347744 (R)

Mob : 93886 37109, email : drmn63@gmail.com

TREaSuRERDr. Varghese cherian

Lourdes Hospital, Pachalam, Cochin 682 012Ph: 0484-4123456 (O), 2345077(R)

Mob : 94006 45077, Email : drbobbyvc@yahoo.co.in

IMA - CGP ConferenCe

A National level workshop on Medical Ethics will be held at IMA House, Cochin on 30th & 31st July 2011.The program is organised by IMA Kerala State Branch. IMA Cochin members are invited for the inaugural function at 7.00 pm on Saturday, 30th July.

The mid-zone conference of IMA College of General Practitioners will be held on Sunday, 31st July at IMA Hall, Aluva. The programme is being organised by IMA Madhya Kerala Branch.Please register for the conference in advance. For details contact Dr. Rafeeq, Secretary, IMA Madhya Kerala @ 98472 22400.

This month of July is devoted for the membership campaign to SSS. Please enroll yourself as a member and encourage your colleagues and friends to join the schemes so that the benefit from two schemes reaches Rs.25 lakhs this year itself. For assistance contact Mr.Hari @ 9249578466.

2nd mid term workshop of Association of Surgical Gastroenterologists of Kerala.Live Surgical workshop on Upper GI disease on 31.7.2011 at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences. Contact Dr. Sudheer O.V., Org. Secretary, GI & HPB Diseases, AIMS, for more details.

The scientific session for the monthly meeting on Wednesday, 24th August will consist of clinical cases by Cochin Clinical Society.Please inform your cases to Dr.Vasantha Nair @ 98463 21942 / Dr.Ramesh Shenoy @ 98462 38377 / Dr. Abraham K. Paul @ 98460 23388.

Dr. Abraham Varghese, Senior Vice President adorning the Ponnada on Dr. Kalyani Devi, Senior Gynaecologist and Dr. K.R. Ravi Varma, Senior

Pediatrician, on Doctors’ Day 2011

Reception to Mr. M.R. Ajithkumar IPS, DIG & Commissioner of Police, Cochin

Shri K.V. Thomas, Union Minister for Food & Public Distribution inaugurating the Blood Donor Literacy

Programme training session for Division 40 on 3.7.2011

Chief Minister Shri Oommen Chandy at the multispeciality mega medical camp organised by IMA Cochin Branch, General Hospital, Ernakulam and Kochi Refineries Ltd. on 26.6.2011

nATIonAL WorKSHoP on MeDICAL eTHICS

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MONTHLY MEETING

27TH JuLY, 2011 (WEdNEsdaY) n 8.00 p.M. n IMa HOusE

dr. shiv K. Nair Coronary Artery Disorders and treatment

dr. Vijayakumar Coronary Angioplasty & Stenting techniques - a life saving procedure

dr. Balu Vaidyanathan An overview on paed. cardiac interventions

9.15 pm - Reception to dr. K.N. Raghavan IRs, Addl. Commissioner of Customs, Excise and Service Tax

Meeting is sponsored by

amrita Institute of Medical Sciences

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WIMA ACTIvITIeS - JuneO U R C O L U M N

Dr. S. Mahadevan Pillai (66 yrs), Neurosurgeon, expired on 7.7.2011. He has worked in SCTIMST, Trvandrum and

City Hospital, Cochin. He was the Neurospinal Surgeon and Director of Cochin Spine Hospital in Ernakulam from 1996-2009. He was an expert in spine surgeries, having performed 8,000 spine surgeries. He is survived by his wife Dr. Pushpa Mahadevan, Chief Pathologist, Lakeshore Hospital, Cochin and two daughters Ms. Gitanjali and Dr. Pushpanjali.

Dr. V.P. Gopinathan (74 yrs), Senior Physician, left us on 8.7.2011. He has worked in Kerala Health Service, RCM Hospital,

Tripunithura, Suburban Hospital and VPG Clinic, Palarivattom. He is survived by his wife Mrs. M.K. Chandralekha, son Dr. Anand Gopinathan.

Congratulations!

Dr. K. Narayanan Kutty and Dr. Sunil K. Mathai has been unanimously elected as President and Secretary of IMA Cochin Charitable Blood Bank Trust.

* * * IMA Cochin Blood Bank conducted 8 blood donation camps.i. Our Lady of Velankanni Church, Kaloor on 5th May 2011. 24 units of blood were collected.ii. IMA House, Ernakulam on 14th June 2011. 27 units of blood were collected.iii. Abhaya, Vyttila on 19th June 2011. 40 units of blood were collected.iv. Young Men’s Association, Tripunithura on 19th June 2011. 27 units of blood were conducted.v. Nangeli Ayurveda College & KSACS on 22nd June 2011. 27 units of blood were collected.vi. Polytechnic, Kalamassery & KSACS on 24th June 2011. 25 units of blood were collected.vii. Smooth Ride, Cheppanam on 26th June 2011. 44 units of blood were collected.

Dear member,

Hope you all had a wonderful Doctors’ Day 2011. This is the 21st time we are celebrating this day in India. Doctors’ Day is meant for expressing gratitude to doctors for their service to humanity.

This year Cochin Branch had conducted free blood testing to all doctors who attended the function on 1st July at IMA House. 64 members availed this facility. But the results of the samples tested give disturbing figures - 50% of the 64 tested have unsatisfactory lipid profiles, 10% have increased PSA which were not detected earlier and about 50% of the diabetics have unacceptable HbA1C levels.

All over the world doctors are known to neglect their health while taking care for the health of others. The present team of IMA had promised to encourage healthy lifestyle among doctors. With this intention we plan to introduce many lifestyle interventions like yoga, swimming and relaxation measures at IMA House. Please utilise them and improve the health of your body and mind so that the health providers also remain healthy.

Yours in IMA,

dr. s.s. Kamath dr. M. Narayanan President Secretary

Premarital classes at Kaloor and Adolescent health education class at NSS School Udayamperur were taken by Dr. Gracy Thomas. Anaemia eradication programme to Anganwadi girls at Mattancherry was also conducted by Dr. Gracy. Dr. Chitrathara gave cancer awareness talk and conducted early cancer detection camp at South Paravur. Dr. Lisamma participated in health talk programme in Marine Biz TV and gave talk on pregnancy care. Adolescent health education for anganwadi girls at Mattancherry and Kothamangalam were conducted by Dr. Gracy Thomas. 26.6.2011 : Medical camp, Hb estimation, Anaemia Detection at Santhwanam, Kakkanad by Dr. Valsala Nair and Dr. Gracy Thomas. Mega medical camp at Ambalamugal in association with BPCL & GH, Ernakulam and IMA Cochin - Dr. T.N. Chandrika. Medical camp at St. Mary’s Church, Thengode by Dr. Mariamma Sebastian. 27.6.2011 : Talk on immunization for doctors at ESIC Hospital, Udyogamandal by Dr. Manju. 28.6.2011 : Class on Human sexuality at St. Teresas School by Dr. Gracy Thomas. Adolescent Health Education & Counselling at Nayarambalam Govt. School & Njarakkal Govt. School by Dr. Gracy Thomas.

obITuAry

BLOOD BANK NEWS

The following members donated medicines to IMA Medicine Bank in the month of June.Dr. HarishDr. Sujith VasudevanDr. PrasadDr. Sreenivasa KamathDr. M. NarayananDr. Thomas MathewRajagiri Drug Bank

MeDICIne bAnK

Dr. T.S. Sidhardhan took First Aid classes for 9th and 10th Std. students of Bhavans Vidya Mandir, Elamakkara on 12.7.2011.

CLASSeS on fIrST AID

Please note that the members have the option of changing nominees of their SSS-I & II schemes. Please contact office for the application form.

noMInATIon for SoCIAL SeCurITy SCHeMe

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Dr. V. P. Gangadharan, Senior Oncologist, and Dr. Anupama G., Lakeshore Hospital talks on ‘Oncology for Non Oncolgoists’ in June Monthly meeting.

Mr. M.R. Ajithkumar IPS handing over cash award from IMA to V. Viswajith S/o. Dr. B. Venugopal, Consultant Rheumatologist

and Dr. Sashikala Venugopal. V. Viswajith topped the Plus II results of CBSE with 9 A1 grades. He also secured 3rd rank in

the CEE exam of Kerala, 243rd in IIT JEE, 74th in AIPMT

D-Day for Cochin IMA. Switching over from diesel generators to KSEB connection on 8.7.2011

Dr. Abraham Varghese, Vice President handing over a Demand Draft for Rs.24 lakhs from Social Security Scheme I & II to

Smt. Jayasree, wife of Late Dr. Prakash B. on 6.7.2011

Dr. N. Gopalakrishnan, President, General Physicians Association inaugurating their

office in IMA House on 12.7.2011

Dr. Abraham Varghese, Vice President handing over Blood Donor Literacy Programme Survey materials to Smt. Minimol,

Councillor, Division 40, Cochin Corporation on 10.7.2011Blood Donor Literacy Programme Survey in progress

in Division 40, Cochin Corporation

Dr. Manoj Kentingal, Orthopedician, life member of IMA Cochin Branch left us on 10.7.2011 at the age of 37. Dr. Manoj was working in Welcare

Hospital, Palakkad and formerly in Ernakulam Medical Centre and St. Joseph’s Hospital, Manjummel. He is survived by his wife Preetha and one daughter Manasi (2 yrs).

We extend our heartful condolence to their family members and friends.

Dr. Sunil K. Mathai installed as the 14th President of Rotary Cochin Downtown on 10.7.2011.

ConGrATuLATIonS !

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Dr. M. Narayanan, Secretary, IMA cochin branch gave a live telecast on Dr Live programme of Asianet News - Doctor Dina Chinthakal. Free blood test (Lipid Profile, SGPT, SGOT, HbA1C for diabetics, PSA for males above 50) for doctors was arranged at IMA House at 7.30 pm. 64 doctors availed this facility. Closing ceremony and honouring senior members was held at 8 pm. After silent prayer and flag salutation, Senior Vice President of IMA Cochin Branch Dr. Abraham Varghese welcomed the gathering. Chief guest Dr. John K. Vettath gave the doctors day message. Dr. K. Kalyani Devi and Dr. K. R. Ravi Varma were honoured in the meeting by being adorned with ponnadas and they were presented mementos by the Vice President for their services to the IMA and medical profession. The function concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. M. Narayanan, Secretary.

Doctors Day celebrations

Doctors Day celebrations....

Doctors’ Day Message by Chief Guest Dr. John K. VettathI am indeed greatly privileged to be giving a message on this auspicious day, the Doctor’s Day. The very fact that the government has set apart one day in the year to honour us is at least mollifying, for all the other 364 days is set apart for doctor bashing.

......A talk however small, furnishes the speaker with a medium through

which he can expand his philosophies, criticism and glimpses into the future. I am glad that I have the next few minutes for myself. As I was thinking as to what I should speak about tonight, my thoughts spanned a broad spectrum of ideas. Ultimately I chose to reflect upon the challenges of change, based upon my years of experience as a doctor, as a surgeon, as a teacher, and as a common citizen.

The only permanent thing in this world is change. This may sound paradoxical. But the only continuity possible in life is in growth, which means change. Change for the better or for the worse.

This is a powerful message, but it really speaks volumes as to how in this upheaval of change, when money oriented impersonalism is the order of the day, there naturally arises a conflict between precepts and practice, between ethics and performance.

Today we are living in momentous times of change. Technological advances are taking us into the realms of fantasy as never before. Super computers, robots, atomic energy and high-tech applications make life easier. Genome mapping, gene transfers, stem cell research, and newer medicines, attempts to make a disease free world. Yesterdays impossibilities are today’s realities, yesterdays intangibles are very much tangible today, yesterdays intellectual hopes have become today’s unquestionable truths. It is but natural that these scientific developments find a place

in the greatest of sciences, the science of healing the sick. But even medical science must have a moral dimension, which is lacking today. Without a moral dimension, it would be like a knife in the hands of a thief, with a moral dimension, it would be like a knife in the hands of a surgeon.

From this cauldron of changing values, of changing out look and changing public attitudes, there arises a spreading skepticism about the pronouncements of the high and mighty, a new impatience with establishment and a new eagerness to challenge practices that were once held sacrosanct, Reputations have become extremely vulnerable, and credibilities under question. Our profession has also suffered. This is what may have prompted George Albert, the president of the Royal College of Physicians to say, in the year 2002, “The role of the profession is being questioned more and more, by the public, by the Government and by the media. We need to restore public confidence in the medical profession, which has been badly bruised”. This is our challenge. The challenge of change.

On the 3rd August 2010 Malayala Manorama had this to say in bold letters. DON’T LOOSE IT DOCTOR, THE SACRED PATIENT RELATIONSHIP. Perhaps, Hypocrites, the father of medicine knew this when he said, that the core, the very heart of our profession is the diligence, the concern and the trust which we bring into the relationship with our

patients. Surrender this trust and we will be in peril. Hippocrates was the prototype of the new type of doctor, in as much as the exemplary way that he lived his life as he did through the quality of his work. He says “what is most admired and respected, is not the medical skill by itself but the whole high ethical concept of medical science”. The training of a doctor ought to do more than teach the latest facts and methods. Training is not to be

Monthly Newsletter from Indian Medical Association, Cochin Branchimac94J U L Y 2 0 1 1

equated with education. You can train a monkey but you cannot educate him. Education aims to train to teach as well as to enlighten. Hippocrates also had a precious quality called humility, which is so lacking in this egocentric world of ours. In establishing a rational and scientific system of medicine, he knew that this knowledge and powers were limited. He knew that he was not an authority in all subjects.

For us doctors, humility is an unknown word. We are unfortunately much more egoistic than people in any other profession. This is probably due to the nature of medical training and medical practice. Our training is to function essentially as individuals and to keep the importance rather than share it. We are trained to be analytical and logical rather than creative or imaginative, and we feel that we are life givers and are superior to any other profession.

Humility in a person is an adornment, and true humility is not born out of fear or an inferiority complex, on the contrary it is born out of confidence. A few years ago I was visiting the Harvard Medical University in the USA, with my niece, who was part of the dental faculty there. As we were walking down a corridor, there was an elderly gentleman in front of us. There was a door at the end of the corridor. He passed through the door and seeing us coming held the door open for us to pass through. When I said thank you, he put up his hand, smiled, and walked away. My niece then tells me that the gentleman was the Nobel Prize winner for medicine that year. It revealed the humility in him.

How good are we at public relations? I am not talking about the frequent newspaper reports about surgeries done for the first time in the country, the state, the district or even in the panchayat, or about somebody presenting a paper somewhere. These reports are only for self-aggrandizement and are in no way an effort at public relations. Public relations is the deliberate, planned and sustainecd effort to establish and maintain mutual understanding between ourselves and the community. And this effort is absolutely necessary at the present time to save our sagging image. Public relations is not propaganda, neither is it advertisement, for both these are to great extent self centered, and may distort or hide facts to achieve a purpose. Truth, transparency, and full information are the only means by which good public relations is to be achieved. In our one to one relationship with our patients, we can do a lot to accomplish this purpose - the challenge of developing good public relations.

The need to consider our need for political involvement is another challenge. Dr. Prabhu Dev, our president of the Association of cardiovascular and thoracic surgeons of India, writing in the latest official journal says this. Politics has long been considered an abomination and something below our dignity by most of us. We believed that our paradigm status, our

loftiness, our stateliness and the sublimity of our profession will be a fortress against evils and contamination, and negate the necessity for any political involvement. Alas! this idealism simply could not withstand the incessant assault of human frailty. The instinct for personal gain, pride, covetousness, and elitism has battered our mighty fortress from both within and without, while we slept on feathered beds of self complementing complacency. Now the society considers us as greedy, selfish, proud, elitist pretenders. This is a challenge to do two things. One, resurrect our idealism, and two, embrace politics as a safeguard against attacks. In the years past, doctors going on strike and refusing to attend to the sick would have been heresy. But today, under the changing vicissitudes, are political protests, becoming a necessity, becoming an indispensable tool. If politics is the reconciliation between idealism and reality, we may have to reinvent ourselves to accept politics and politicking as a way of life today.

Yet another challenge, involving our personal lives, is the challenge to meet the stresses of today’s life. Ours is a stressful vocation, needing long hours of work, add to it the physical and mental strain that we undergo in the op theatre. The need to be a good family man, a good husband, a good father, and to live a good life gives to the stress equation a wider dimension. In the crescendo of today’s life our personal matters get pushed to the background. We don’t have time to relax, we don’t have the time to enjoy the good things and the beauty which is very much around us. In trying to make a living we have forgotten how to live. Is life only about getting ahead and being successful. Life is also to be enjoyed and we don’t have the time for it. Where is it said that you cannot stop and admire the beauty of the sunset? Where is it said that you cannot sit on seashore and feel the rumbling tumbling waves wash your feet. Where is it said that you must work the whole day denying yourself the pleasure of being with your family and friends. Life is not only about getting ahead. Life is also about the beauty in ourselves and in the beauty that God has created all around us. Stop, take some time to enjoy it. This life that God has given us is very precious. Use it well but even as you enjoy it.

There are many more challenges facing us like - Moneterisation of medical care- Influence of medical …… over doctors- Lack of good leadership- Retirement, but time does not permit me.Let us always remember that there is a better thing on earth a better

thing than life itself. And that is to have done something for which good men may honour you, and God in heaven smile upon you.

Good advice is what a man gives, when he is too old to set a bad example.

Dr. Soge Kurien introducing Dr. B. Kalyani Devi

Dr. C.I. Varghese introducing Dr. KR. Ravi Varma

Blood testing for doctors on Doctors’ Day