TURA, 16 Nov: Among the team of doctors from Vellore and Malaysia who are participating in the three day health mela in Tura and the surgical camp at Jengjal Sub-Divisional hospital, HUB News caught up with three specialists, two surgeons and a pulmonologist, to hear their stories and experiences dealing with patients in Garo Hills for the very first time.
It is worth mentioning that this is the first ever visit by a team of Vellore doctors to the Garo Hills to hold a medical camp.
Excerpts from the interaction with the three doctors
Dr Akhilesh Devendra, Surgeon CMC Vellore: “I was amazed by the dedication and preparation undertaken by Jengjal doctors for this medical camp. We were able to successfully conduct a series of surgeries every day, mainly for gallbladder, hernias, haemorrhoids (Piles), appendicitis and abscess. High fat diet is contributing to gallbladder complications for men, while for women its mainly due to some hormonal effects on how the gallbladder works. Contaminated water can also lead to gallbladder infections, including cancer,” cautioned Dr Akhilesh while urging upon everyone to ensure consuming treated water.
Dr Dennis David, Surgeon CMC Vellore: “Delighted to come to Garo Hills and provide a helping hand. This hospital in Jengjal has a lot of potential and there’s a lot more to come, it’s just the beginning of many things I feel,” said Dr Dennis David.
He pointed out that during interactions he had come to know about the high intact of tobacco and alcohol in the region and cautioned people from using them.
“I have been hearing that smoking and alcohol consumption has been a very common problem in this area and there is scope for preventive medicine. We need more personnel to be able to go into the community to train them, explain to them the ill-effects of smoking and alcohol,” suggested Dr Dennis David.
Dr Sam G, Pulmonologist CMC, Vellore: Dr Sam is a Pulmonology specialist that deals with lung diseases, which are the most commonly affected organ in the body.
In India tuberculosis and lung cancer are the most common and the latter causes the most number of deaths in the world.
“In Jengjal we came across some patients with lung diseases, including COPD or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, which is a highly inflammatory disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. It is mainly caused by smoking in men. It is totally preventable if we stop smoking,” pointed out Dr Sam G.
He said that the disease is also manifesting in women, particular in the rural areas and affecting the marginalised sections of society. He revealed the reason why there are many women in the rural areas suffering from COPD.
“In women, it’s due to burning of wood for cooking when they inhale the smoke and are unaware. It’s called biomass exposure. It can be preventable if women cook outside, in a well ventilated room with a fan and open windows, or the use of LPG gas stoves that are very safe,” advised Dr Sam.
He also called for better awareness against tuberculosis because the disease devours a large portion of the patient’s lungs and over time it becomes scarred for life. The diseased lung can later aid the formation of other diseases with devastating effect.
