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NEW DIRECTOR FOR JIPMER

Dr. K.S.V.K. Subba Rao assumed charge as the Director of JIPMER on the 15th of December, 2003. He joined JIPMER in the year 1973 and has been working continuously in the department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery in various capacities, except for the period of 1983-85 when he went to Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Science & Technology, Trivandrum to do his Mch in Cardiothoracic Surgery. He is instrumental in establishing and stabilizing the department of Cardiothoracic Surgery. He had earlier worked as Dean and Medical Superintendent of this institute.

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SECOND NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON SIMPLE DIAGNOSTIC METHODS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES

The Department of Microbiology, JIPMER conducted the Second National workshop on Simple Diagnostic Methods in Infectious Diseases from 2nd-6th December 2003. Twenty four participants from 11 states of the country participated in the workshop. The workshop was inaugurated by Prof. S.P. Thygarajan, Vice Chancellor, University of Madras. Prof. S. Badrinath, Director in-charge, JIPMER presided over the function. A standard operative procedure (SOP) prepared for the workshop was released by Prof. K. S. Reddy, Dean, JIPMER. The delegates were welcomed by Dr. S.C. Parija, Professor and Head of Microbiology and Course Coordinator of the workshop. Dr. B.N. Harish, Prof. of Microbiology proposed the vote of thanks.

The workshop was spread over a period of 5 days. This consisted of guest lectures followed by bench training for all the participants throughout the day. Prof. P.V. Pankajalakshmi, Chennai, Prof. H.V. Batra, DRDE, Gwalior, Dr. P. Suganthi Rao, MAHE, Manipal, Dr. Rajarajan, Chennai and Dr. S.L. Hoti, VCRC, Pondicherry were the external faculty who assisted in conducting the workshop. Prof. S. Badrinath, Prof. S.C. Parija, Prof. B.N. Harish, Dr. S. Sujatha and Dr. N. Vijayalakshmi were the internal faculty. Dr. Hoti gave a talk on ‘Advances in the diagnosis of lymphatic filariasis’, Dr. Batra on 'Diagnostic kits in leptospirosis', Dr. Suganthi Rao on 'Recent advances in the diagnosis of enteric fever', Dr. Pankajalakshmi on 'Approach to diagnosis of fungal infection’ & Dr. Rajarajan on ‘Antimicrobial activity of herbal extracts and assay procedure’. Dr. Badrinath gave a talk on ‘Scenario in diagnostic virology’ and Dr. S.C. Parija talked on 'Simple methods in the diagnosis of parasitic diseases'. In this workshop, 22 training modules were demonstrated with hands-on training for the participants. These modules were in various fields of Microbiology, such as Bacteriology, Immunology, Parasitology and Mycology. The valedictory function was held on 6th December 2003 in Pasteur theatre. Dr. Shyam Singh, Principal, Mahatma Gandhi Dental College and Hospital, Pondicherry delivered the valedictory address. He distributed the certificates of participation and released a CD of the Standard Operative Procedure Manual.

On the evening of 3rd December, the Department of Microbiology organized a Microbiology Nite in the Community hall. This was attended by participants, faculty members, residents, Ph. D., scholars and all staff of the department. In this function, three staff members of the department were honoured for their long years of service to the department. Mr. N. Balaiya was awarded the Best Technican, Mr. V. Palani the Best staff and Mr. A.S. Kuppusamy the Best supporting staff of the department. Certificates and gifts were presented by Prof. S. Badrinath, Director in-charge. This was followed by an entertainment programme and dinner.

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WORKSHOP ON HOSPITAL WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

In commemoration of the Hospital Cleanliness Year 2003, as directed by the DGHS, a workshop on Hospital Waste Management System was organized by the Hospital Waste Management Committee of JIPMER on 9.12.2003.

The participants included Senior Nursing personnel viz., the Dy. Nursing Supdts. and Asst. Nursing Supdts. The Senior staff of the Sanitary Unit viz., the Sanitary Supdt., and Sr. Sanitary Inspector also participated in it.

Apart from the faculty of the Department of P&SM, the resource persons included the Additional and Deputy Medical Superintendents of JIPMER Hospital, Member-Secretary of the Hospital Waste Management Committee, Chief Nursing Officer and Officer-In-charge of Central Stores.

Following the welcome address by the Head of the Dept. of P&SM, the presidential & key note address was delivered by Dr. S. Badrinath, Director-In-charge & Medical Supdt. of JIPMER. He outlined the magnitude of the problem faced by JIPMER in effective and proper disposal of the Hospital Waste. He also stressed on the importance of continuous in-service orientation of the safe practices in Hospital waste disposal for the various categories of the Hospital staff. Dr. G. Subramanian Reddy, Medical Superintendent recalled how he had been oriented to proper hospital waste management disposal in JIPMER in 1998. He elaborated on several innovative measures like the use of wheel barrow in the General Hospital, for disposal of waste generated in the wards. He then released the Health promotion material designed by JIPMER. The inauguration concluded by a vote of thanks from the Member-Secretary, Dr. Ambroise M.E.J.

Subsequently, the resource persons conducted the programmes in a sequential order. The participants actively took part in this session and mentioned the problems faced by them day to day in implementing this programme. Further, there was a feed back from them on the effectiveness of the orientation programme conducted in JIPMER in 1998 for them. The workshop concluded with a resolution that future programmes for in-service orientation of JIPMER hospital personnel would address not only the needs of the newly appointed hospital personnel but would also utilize on a voluntary basis the services of the participants to conduct the same.

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TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR ZOOLOGY TEACHERS

At the request of the Department of Education. Government of Pondicherry, the Department of Medical Education was given charge of conducting a training programme for Zoology Lecturers and Teachers working in Government of Pondicherry on Human Biology and related medical topic. The programme was held at NTTC Seminar Hall from 11th to 13th December 2003. Thirty teachers took active part in the proceeding. Seventeen lectures were arranged which were delivered by 12 faculty members of JIPMER. The valedictory function was held on 13the December 2003 at 4.30 pm which was presided over by the Deputy Director, Department of Education, Govt. of Pondicherry. Dr. S. Badrinath, Ag. Director, JIPMER gave the valedictory address and distributed certificates. The unanimous opinion of the participants was that this was the best training programme they have attended till date. They have requested the Director, JIPMER to permit one more refresher course of longer duration (7 to 10 days) at JIPMER after the new Biology texts were released.

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JIPMER SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY

A Guest Lecture was organized under the auspices of JSS on request from Department of Pathology on 8th December 2003, Monday at 3.15 pm in Pasteur Theatre. The talk was delivered by Dr. Bernard Naylor, Emeritus Professor of Pathology, University of Michigan, USA on the topic "FNAC in nonneoplastic lesions and infectious diseases".

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STAFF NEWS

Department of Radiotherapy

Activities of 2003 (Second-half)

1. A one day Training Programme for Doctors and Health Workers was organized at SIMS Theatre of JIPMER, Pondicherry on 30.8.2003. The training programme aimed at imparting practical and theoretical knowledge to the participants on various aspects of cancer prevention and early cancer detection. The participants included one doctor and three health workers from JIUHC, Kuruchikuppam as well as two doctors, eight health workers and seven Anganwadi workers from JIRHC, Ramanathapuram. Kuruchikuppam mainly caters to the population who basically live in slums while Ramanathapuram caters to the typical rural population.

2. A population based Screening Programme was conducted at Ramanathapuram from 15-9-2003 to 17-9-2003 and a multi specialty camp was conducted on 18-9-2003 for detecting possible cancer cases. Dr. K.S. Reddy, Director-Prof. & Head, Department of Radiotherapy participated in the camp along with other specialists. One Associate Professor/Asst. Professor and a Resident each from the Departments of Surgery, ENT, Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Dentistry, one Professor and a Senior Social Scientist and Staff of Department of P&SM, two Professors, one Sr. Resident and Staff of department of Radiotherapy, two CMOs and staff of JIRHC and two Anganwadi Teachers participated in the camp.

3. A door to door survey was conducted from 13-10-2003 to 16-10-2003 in Pillaiyarkuppam village which is under Ramanathapuram RHC. A multi-speciality camp was conducted on 17-10-2003 for detecting possible cancer cases. Dr. K.S. Reddy participated in the camp along with other specialists.

4. A door to door survey was conducted from 10-11-2003 to 13-11-2003 at Pillaiyarkuppam and on 14-11-2003 at Tuthipet. A specially designed interview schedule was used to collect information about signs and symptoms of some common cancers and some predisposing factors. Faculty and staff of the department of P&SM, CMO and the staff of JIRHC, Ramanathapuram and the local Anganwadi workers participated in the survey. A total of 1301 person above the age of 30 years were covered. A set of 4 types of pamphlets about oral cancer, breast cancer and cervical cancer and booklet on commonly asked questions about cancer, which were specially developed, were distributed in the household. A multi-speciality camp was conducted on 15-11-2003 for detecting possible cancer cases. A total of 85 persons attended the camp. An exhibition was arranged with a set of 36 wall posters for the purpose of educating the villagers.

5. A Community Based Cancer Screening Programme with the establishment of Rural Oncology Unit at RHC, Ramanathapuram (under JIPMER with the assistance of WHO): As an integral part of this project, the second one day Training Programme for doctors and Health workers was organized at SIMS Theatre of JIPMER, Pondicherry on 29-11-2003. The training programme was aimed at imparting practical and theoretical knowledge to the participants on various aspects of Cancer Prevention and Early Cancer detection. The participants were one Medical Officer and 12 Health workers including Anganwadi workers form PHC, Kiliyanur and one Medical Officer and 10 Paramedical Health workers from the Hemerjick Rural Health Centre, Rawattankuppam. The training programme began with a Dhanvantri Prayer followed by the inaugural function. The Project Co-ordinator Shri. S. Ranga Rao welcomed the gathering. Prof. S. Badrinath, Acting Director & Medical Superintendent, delivered the inaugural address. Prof. K.S. Reddy presided over the function and briefed the participants about the objective of the training camp and its implementation. Dr. S.B. Rotti, Field Epidemiologist Cum Professor, Department of P&SM explained the plan of activities of the screening programme. Dr. Manivasagam, Deputy Director, Public Health, Villupuram, Tamilnadu, thanked WHO and the JIPMER administration for selecting their health centers and health workers to participate in the training camp and the subsequent screening programme.

Department of Cardiology

1. Dr J Balachander, Professor and Head of Department and Dr R Anilkumar, Professor attended the annual conference of the Cardiological Society of India as National Faculty members. The conference was held at Science City, Calcutta from the 2nd to 6th, December, 2003. Dr Sriman Narayan and Dr Rajasekhar Varma, DM residents also attended the conference. and presented three papers each. Dr Balachander gave a lecture on "Single Chamber VDD Pacing" in the CME. He also chaired two sessions-one on "Implantable Defibrillators" in the CME and a free paper session during the conference. Dr Anilkumar gave a lecture on " Newer Interventional techniques in the ablation of ventricular arrhythmias" and chaired a session on " Pacing for Vasovagal Syncope" in the CME. He was also a panelist for the lunch-on session on interesting ECGs.

The following papers were presented from the department in the conference:

(i) Longivity of Permanent Pacemakers: A 20-Year Follow-Up Study.

(ii) Dual-Chamber Pacing in Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy: Acute Outcome and Long-Term Follow-Up.

(iii) Percutaneous Transluminal Aortic Valvuloplasty: Early Outcome, Follow-Up and Predictors of Restenosis.

(iv) Transvenous Permanent Pacemaker Implantation Through the Left Superior Vena Cava in Patients With Absent Right Superior Vena Cava.

(v) Noninvasive Estimation of Mean Pulmonary Artery Pressure Using Pulmonary Acceleration Time in an Indian Population With Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis.

(vi) Hypertensive Vascular Overload Index and Abnormal QT Dispersion in Isolated Systolic Hypertension.

(vii) Balloon Mitral Valvotomy in Mitral Stenosis With Atrial Fibrillation: Anticoagulation Strategies and Outcome.

2. A paper entitled "Efficacy and safety of refurbished pacemakers: 17 years followup of an international collaborative programme. (authors J.Balachander, R. Anilkumar, M.Sampath, K R Sethuraman, S.Chandrasekhar,Bernard Dodinot) was published in Stimucoeur (French Journal of Pacing) August 2003 issue.

Department of Skin & STD

The 14th Annual conference of IADVL, Pondicherry Branch was held at Hotel Annamalai, Pondicherry, on 14th December 2003. Dr. D.M. Thappa was the Organizing Secretary-cum-chairman and Dr. T.J. Jaisankar was the Chairman, Scientific Committee. Faculty members and residents participated in the Conference.

Dr. D.M. Thappa, Professor & Head, Dr. Mariette D’Souza, Professor and Dr. T.J. Jaisankar, Associate Professor, chaired one Scientific Session each.

The following papers were presented from the department:

1. Unusual presentations of leprosy and lepra reaction – Dr. Laxmisha

2. Griscelli Syndrome – Dr. Shriya Dave Vinod

3. Penile horn overlying verucous carcinoma of penis – Dr. Sathesh

4. ‘Water-can’ penis due to tuberculosis – Dr. Sentil

5. Cutaneous larva migrans – Dr. Anand Kumar Dubey

6. Nail Involvement in Degenerative Collagenous Plaques of hand – Dr. Jeevan Kumar

7. Predictors of severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions – Dr. David Pudukadan

8. Hepatitis C virus antibodies in patients with lichen planus: A case control study – Dr. Shivaswamy

9. Seroprevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 in patients attending STD Clinic – Dr. Shivaswamy

10. Cryoglobulins and rheumatoid factor in leprosy – Dr. L.C. Joseph

Dr. K.N. Shiva Swamy, Junior Resident, III Year Postgraduate won the best paper award in case studies section and Dr. Shriya Dave Vinod, Senior Resident won the best paper award in case report section.

Department of Preventive and Social Medicine

Prof. Ajit Sahai, Director-Professor of Biomedrics attended the Asia Pacific Conference on Breastfeeding and National Convention of BPNI on "Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF)-From Policy to Practice", held at India Habitat Centre (IHC), New Delhi, between 30th November and 3rd December 2003. He presented a paper entitled "Monitoring Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) and Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Promotion – in South Indian Territory of Pondicherry".

Prof. Ajit Sahai, as an Executive Member, was invited to attend the XXI Annual Conference of India Society for Medical Statistics (ISMS) organized by Desert Medicine Research Centre (DMRC-ICMR), Jodhpur (Rajasthan), during 27th to 30th November 2003. He acted as a resource-faculty in pre-conference workshop under CME programme on ‘Biostatistics and Research Methodology’ held on 27th November 2003. He also chaired the session on "Statistical Methods in Epidemiology" and presented papers – entitled "Evolving Course Curricula on Research Methodology and Biostatistics for Medical Postgraduates" and Certain Aspects in Spiritual Health Measurement". Prof. Sahai agreed to the proposal by the Executive Council, which was approved by General Body of ISMS of holding ISMS national conference-2004 at Pondicherry, subject to approval by the Director, JIPMER.

Prof. Ajit Sahai was invited to act as a member of the National Advisory Committee and to deliver a talk on "Role of Measurement in Macro-level Epidemiological Studies" in the VII Conference of the International Biometric Society (IBS-IR) at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, held during 23rd to 27th November 2003. He also acted as a resource Faculty in the pre conference workshop on "Statistical Methods in Bioinformatics" and delivered a talk on ‘Basics of Designing Field and Lab Studies on Health and Environment’.

Department of Medical Education

As a part of an on going consultancy, two observers of NTTC Core Group viz Dr. K.R. Sethuraman and Dr. B. Vishnu Bhat attended the training workshop for Medical Teachers of Government Medical College. Thanjavur and Trichy held at Thanjavur Medical College, from 15th to 19th December 2003. Thirty participants from the above two medical colleges actively took part in the proceedings. On 18th December, Dr. K.R. Sethuraman conducted sessions on "Evaluation and Ethics in Education"and on 19th December, Dr. B. Vishnu Bhat conducted session on "Essay type examinations". Both observers also took part in two role-plays and in micro-teaching sessions. In the valedictory function, held at 3 pm on 19th December, the Dean, Tanjavur Medical College appreciated the role of NTTC in promoting the cause of scientific education in medical colleges of Tamil Nadu.

Department of Microbiology

1. Dr. S.C. Parija, Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology, organized a Pre-conference CME programme on "Recent approaches in the diagnosis of infectious diseases" on 17.12.2003 on the occasion of 52nd Annual Conference of the Indian Association of Pathologists and Microbiologists held at Bhubaneswar. He also delivered a talk on "Urinary antigen in the diagnosis of parasitic infections" in the conference.

2. Dr. S.C. Parija, delivered a talk on "Opportunistic parasitic infections: Indian scenario" in the Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry chapter of IAMM at King Institute, Guindy, Chennai on 22nd December 2003.

Department of Medicine

Dr. Aparna Agrawal, Professor of Medicine, attended the Training Course on ‘Medical Negligence, Consumer Protection Act and Medical Ethics for faculty of Medical College’ from 8th to 12th December, 2003 in New Delhi as a nominee candidate from JIPMER. It was organized by the Department of Education and Training, National Institute of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi. The course was conducted with Faculty from Forensic Department, administrators, members of the judiciary and an official from one of the insurance companies. It covered medical ethics, consumer protection act, consumer redressal agencies, negligence in medical practice and other acts related to medical practice. Important landmark judgments under the provision of the LPA were discussed.

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

1. Professor & Head, Dr. S. Habeebullah, (Mrs.) P. Reddi Rani and Prof. S. Soundararaghavan attended the workshop on ‘Objective Structured Clinical Examination" conducted by the National Board of Examinations at Madurai from 26.11.2003 to 27.11.2003.

2. Professor S. Soundararaghavan attended the Symposium on ‘Expanding Conteaceptive Choices: International and Indian Experiences and their implications for Policies and Programmes’ organized by the Indian Council of Medical Research at Mumbai from 7.12.2003 to 10.12.2003.

Department of Physiology

1. Dr. Madan Mohan, Director-Professor & Head of Department of Physiology, Dr. G.K. Pal, Professor, Dr. G.S. Gaur, Associate Professor and Dr. (Mrs.) Pravati Pal, Assistant Professor have attended the 49th Annual Conference of Association of Physiologist of India held at Guwahati Medical College, Guwahati from 14th to 17th December, 2003. Dr. Madan Mohan, Director-Professor, chaired two scientific sessions and delivered a guest lecture. Dr. G.K. Pal chaired the award paper session and was the judge for the best postgraduate paper. He also presented a paper. Dr. G.S. Gaur and Dr. (Mrs.) Pravati Pal presented one paper each in the conference.

2. Dr. Madan Mohan attended the 7th All Indian Conference of the Waves, World Association of the Vedic Studies at Pondicherry from 27th to 29th December, 2003. He chaired a session and delivered an invited talk.

Department of Neurology

Dr. Sunil K Narayan attended the National Conference of the Neurological Society of India held from 13th to 15th December at PGI Chandhgarh. He presented a paper on "Screening of young stroke patients for prothrombotic status – A cost effective approach" co-authored by Dr. Vinodkumar, Senior Resident, Dr. T.K. Dutta, Professor of Medicine and Dr. Debdatta Basu, Professor Pathology. Dr. Sunil K Narayan also attended a hands on workshop on Transcranial Doppler and an International Workshop on stroke at Chennai from 15th to 17th February 2004.

Department of Pathology

Dr. Surendra Verma, Professor of Pathology attended the meeting of International Division of the Indian Association of Pathologist and Microbiologist (IAPM) and the annual conference of IAPM held at Bhubneshwar from 17th to 21st December, 2003. He presented a paper on "Significance of Acid fast stain in AIDS".

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ASSUMED CHARGE

Dr. H.M. Siddaraju as Chief Medical Officer on 9.12.2003.

PROMOTIONS

Dr. Latha Chaturvedula as Associate Professor on 16.2.2003.

Dr. V. Bhuvneshwari as Associate Professor on 23.3.2003.

Dr. M. John Christudhas Lalji as Associate Professor on 30.8.2003.

Dr. G.S. Gaur as Associate Professor on 8.9.2003.

RETIREMENT

Shri. K. Devaraj, Theatre Assistant, 31.12.2003.

The staff and students convey their gratitude for the contribution made by him to the functioning and development of JIPMER. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

Obituary

1. Shri. D. Narayanan, Safaiwala, 19.12.2003.

2. Smt. D. Selvi, Safaiwala, 23.12.2003.

The staff and students of JIPMER convey their deepest condolences to the families of the bereaved.

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