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Monthly Report, April and May 2002 World No Tobacco Day 2002
31st May is designated "World No Tobacco Day"(WNTD) by the World Health Organisation (WHO). On this day, organisations all over the world work to spread awareness about the dangers posed by tobacco in all its forms. CPAA had a number of activities planned to mark the occasion. Here is a report on these activities.
Launch of the WNTD Proceedings and Unveiling of "Tobacco Free Sports" Canvas WNTD activities started with a bang on 24th May at a music and dance show for the youth called "Spirit of Youthful Living", arranged by renowned choreographer, Shiamak Davar and singer, Saapna Mukherjee. The theme for this year's WNTD as proposed by the WHO is "Tobacco Free Sports". Under this theme, CPAA requested and received spontaneous endorsements from eminent Indian sports personalities, in the form of letters, autographed pictures and memorabilia.
Among those who expressed their backing for the theme are Mahesh Bhupati, Tennis; Geet Sethi and Michael Ferriera, Billiards; Prakash Padukone, Badminton; Indu Puri, Table Tennis; Bhuvaneshwari Kumari, Squash; Milkha Singh, Athletics; Chiranjeev Milkha Singh and Nonita Lal Qureshi, Golf; Jaffer Iqbal, Hockey; Bishen Singh Bedi, Kapil Dev, Madan Lal Sharma and Ajay Jadeja, Cricket. Yashwant Singh, Chairman, Athletes Commission, Indian Olympic Association and Director, Arjuna Awards Association and Harsha Bhogle, cricket commentator also endorsed the theme. Members of the Indian cricket team, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble, Zaheer Khan, VVS Prasad, J Srinath, Ajay Ratra, Wasim Jaffer, Deep Dasgupta, Shivsunder Das, Dinesh Mongia, Tinu Yohannan and Harbhajan Singh signed a cricket bat emblazoned with the theme.
A canvas painting was also signed by the team members and was unveiled on stage by well-known cricketer Mr. Vinod Kambli at the programme on 24th May. Chief Guest, actor Mr. Anil Kapoor, models, singers, music directors and industrialists, representing a cross section of opinion makers in society, also signed a similar canvas.
CPAA also launched the "Smoke Free Work Place Campaign" for which we have received consent from 25 companies comprising of 4000 individuals who signed the campaign. The first two corporates that joined this campaign were American Express Bank and C.N.G International. Chief Guest Anil Kapoor handed over the campaign details to senior executives of these two companies. Corporate heads announced their acceptance and support publicly. Kannu Mukherjee, Senior Director of American Express said, "Smoke-free offices are sensible business propositions. They encourage the vast majority of non-smoking customers to come in for another transaction. The employees, too, feel that clearing the air of tobacco smoke facilitates unclouded thinking. Managements stand to lose less on employee medical care and absenteeism from tobacco-related illnesses." Mr. Mukherjee has no doubts about the sustainability of the campaign, as he finds the policy sets a way of life within the professional world. "It's just a matter of good business etiquette." Mr. Vikram Bhatt of C.N.G. International added, "The campaign has helped several of our employers to kick the habit." The company, which deals in diamond exports, launched its smoke-free workplace campaign with an Awareness Lecture by Alka Kapadia who addressed the employees on the consequences of tobacco use. Human Chain along Marine Drive
A human chain was organized along Marine Drive, from Marine Plaza Hotel to Churchgate on 30th May. Volunteers held banners bearing anti tobacco messages from 5.30 to 7.00p.m. The time was chosen so that the message would reach a maximum number of office goers. The chain comprised of youth from Rotaract Clubs of the city and CPAA volunteers, who later walked down the sea front shouting slogans, giving out badges with anti-tobacco messages to general public.
Ruby Bhatia, a good friend of CPAA's in the fight against tobacco and other members of CAT, Crusade Against Tobacco were also present to lead the group in slogans exhorting passersby to give up smoking and tobacco. Participation in "Hello Sakhi" On the occasion of WNTD, on May 31st, CPAA's Mrunal Marathe was invited to participate in "Hello Sakhi" on Doordarshan. The programme, which reaches an audience all over Maharashtra, provides answers to phone calls from viewers on a pre-determined topic. Mrunal had impressed the organizers during an earlier programme on CPAA's philosophy on the total management of cancer. One participant asked Mrunal about the necessity for observing World No Tobacco Day. A large number of listeners called with their queries regarding tobacco addiction and expressed satisfaction at the answers given. Free Detection Camps for Tobacco Habitués As in the past seven years, as a part of our WNTD programme, CPAA organised ENT camps all over Mumbai city in locations that are identified to have a high concentration of tobacco users. Doctors examine the participants and those with leucoplakia, difficulty in swallowing or opening their mouths fully, typical signs of tobacco abuse, are counseled and advised follow up treatment where necessary. The ongoing programme culminates in a free camp at the Hutatma Chowk car park for the general public on 31st May, World No Tobacco Day.
This year, identified target groups underwent free cancer detection camps daily from 20th May to 31st May, to rule out early signs and symptoms of precancerous conditions, with simultaneous counseling and continuous follow up and also free medication. Each session was preceded by an awareness lecture with audio visual aids.
This year camps were held for street children, commercial sex workers, porters, jail inmates, BMC employees, Aarey dairy employees and also general public. The first camp was held at Don Bosco-Shelter House for street children at Wadala, where 125 children were screened. An amazing 65 children were advised follow-up. The experience at this camp was heartbreaking as we came across child tobacco addicts in the age group 7-12 years who were chewing gutkha 10-12 times per day. These children were not aware of the ill effects of this consumption. They were chewing tobacco because their friends forced them to or to suppress hunger or to while away time. The children came from various areas of Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, many had no idea who or where their parents are. Camps were held for employees of Worli Dairy, porters at Central Railway, VT and drivers and conductors at B.E.S.T depot, Colaba. These workers are heavily addicted to gutkha as it helps to keep them alert at their otherwise tedious jobs. 538 individuals were screened and 305 (56.69%) individuals were advised follow up. A camp was held at Station Health Organization (SHO), Navy, Mankhurd. Although smoking is banned in these premises, there is a high incidence of tobacco abuse and as many as 139 (43.98%) out of 316 persons screened needed follow up. After a great deal of effort, CPAA was given permission to screen inmates at Byculla jail where we found all manner of addictions, tobacco in all forms, cigarettes, raw tobacco and gutkha as well as drugs and inhaling of solvents in solutions. 236 (82.85%) out of 285 prisoners were advised follow-up and 7 persons needed biopsies. All these camps culminated at Hutatma Chowk on 31st May where a free Head & Neck Camp was held for general healthy individuals. 303 (58.60%) out of the 517 individuals who walked in for the free check up were advised follow-up. 20 were advised biopsy at Tata Memorial Hospital's Preventive Oncology Unit. Total No. of individuals
screened during WNTD 2002: 2338 (Male: 2130 & Female: 208) Neeta More delivered Awareness Lectures for employees at the Government Press, Charni Road and for community children at Govandi through the Urmi Association. Prevention and Early Detection
31 camps and OPDs were held during the month of April and 18 during the month of May. Camps were held at ACC, Churchgate (6); GIC, SICOM, Rotary Clubs of Deonar and Kandivili (West), Apnalay, Shree Porbander Samaj, Andheri, Chandraprabha Charitable Trust, Unity Charitable Trust and Ramkrishna Society (2 each). A total of 900 people, 374 males and 526 females were screened in the camps and clinics in April and 431 people (144 males and 287 females) in May. 342 people were advised follow up. 13 OPDs and clinics were held during April and 12 during May. 180 males and 305 females were screened. 135 people were advised follow up. 4 people were detected with cancer at clinics held during April. A 71 year-old lady was detected with thyroid cancer at our Naigaon clinic. Two ladies, 40 and 43 years old, were detected with breast cancer. A 69-year-old man was detected with cancer of the pharynx at our OPD at Adams Wylie. Smt. Lila Kishanchand Shahani Clinical Diagnostic Centre The Smt. Lila Kishanchand Shahani Clinical Diagnostic Centre screened 360 persons during April and 274 persons during May. 1482 tests were performed, out of which 1050 were pathology tests. 230 sonography, 84 x-ray and 65 mammography investigations were carried out including 32 investigations done under the Well Woman Clinic sponsored by Voltas Ltd.
During April, 108 people were examined, of whom 42 had come for the first check-up and 66 for renewal check up. Rs 19,420 was disbursed towards the single claim settled during the month. During May, 148 people were examined, out of whom 51 had come for the first check-up and 97 for renewal check-up. 3 claims were settled and an amount of Rs. 1,75,464 was disbursed. 111 claims have been settled to date. A 66-year-old policyholder was detected with CA breast and is now undergoing treatment at Bombay Hospital. 32 policyholders have been found to have cancer since the inception of the policy, out of whom 21 are surviving. At Smt. Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management Centre 597 patients and 615 patients were aided, counseled and given guidance at our locations in Mumbai-Srimati Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management Centre; at Nair Hospital Radiation Centre; Cama & Albless, Wadia and Tata Memorial Hospitals in April and May respectively. Almost 1000 patients availed of ambulance facilities, including 31 patients who availed of the stretcher service for long distances. 160 persons were given clothes, 80 packets of biscuits and 75 boxes of Complan and Feredol were distributed. 39 home and institutional visits were made. 11 of our patients expired during the two months. Archana and Amit Chandra, children of our policyholder Jagdish Mittra, donated Rs. 1 lakh in the memory of their father who expired last year of Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
At Tata Memorial Hospital: Room No. 189, Golden Jubilee Block 378 patients and 268 patients were aided, guided and counseled by CPAA's Halima Aurangabadkar at Tata Memorial Hospital's Golden Jubilee Block Room No. 189 during April and May respectively. 550 packets of biscuits were distributed. 91 patients were given clothes, 14 kgs of sweets were distributed. 32 referred cases were helped. 62 ward visits and 15 home visits were made. 31 patients were given medicines and toys were distributed to 28 children. 392 patients were given Complan and Horlicks. 614 patients utilized the ambulance facility including 531 who used the shuttle service between TMH and Dadar station Sweekar cooking oil, rice, dal and toiletries collected from various donors by Mrs. Rati Datta were distributed among needy outstation patients. Our heart felt thanks go to Mala Sampat, Vrunda Suvarna, Kokila Shah, Roshni, Kanan Shah, Rajnikant Jhaveri, Sanjay Ahuja, Kanta Masand and the Jagtiani family for their generous contributions. Halima provided much needed assistance to the family of Khushboo Raja, a 15-year-old girl suffering from osteosarcoma. The family, who live in Thane, was given transportation to and from Tata Memorial Hospital during the entire period of Khushboo's diagnostic procedure. Later Halima joined in for Khushboo's birthday celebrations where she was a special invitee. She also performed the sad task of arranging for a hearse for the relatives of our registered patient, Jayanti who expired at TMH. "Can I Help You?" CPAA’s Desk at Tata Memorial Hospital’s Private OPD Jennifer Quadros helped 1023 patients during April and 813 patients during May, providing literature on various kinds of cancers to 551 patients and their family members, helping 448 in filling up registration and other forms and answering questions about the hospital for 619 persons. 42 ward visits were made. 176 patients were counseled. Palliative Care Unit at Tata Memorial Hospital CPAA's Mrunal Marathe counseled 41 patients, 17 males and 24 females during the months of April and May. There were 20 cases of head and neck and 5 cervical cancers, 7 case of cancer of the abdomen, 3 cases of breast cancer and 6 other cases of cancer. A 60 year-old woman with cancer of the tongue has been under treatment at Tata Memorial Hospital for the last 7 months. Even after radiation, her condition did not improve and she is now attending the Palliative Clinic. The lady has six loving children whom she single handedly brought up after the early demise of her husband. While all of them are ready to move heaven and earth for their mother, their financial position today is such that they have to beg for meager funds. After spending whatever they had on their mother's treatment, they have been reduced to living on the footpaths of Mumbai. When Mrunal offered to help them procure funds to return to their village, however, the son refused. In Mumbai where he is a stranger, he does not feel ashamed of begging but in his village where everyone knows him, he would be unable to put together even a few coins to feed his dying mother. Counseling at Tata Memorial Hospital’s Radiation Treatment Centre CPAA's Smita Khante counsels patients at the radiation centre at TMH regarding diet restrictions, care and cleanliness of the radiated part and boosting nutrition during radiation therapy. Patients are also given advice on accommodation and travel. 250 patients were counseled. Counseling of Breast Cancer Patients at Tata Memorial Hospital Rati Datta, Sushmita Mitra and Shubha Maudgal counseled 200 breast cancer patients in the General, 25 patients in Semi-Private and 10 patients in the Private wards during the months of April and May. Patients were counseled in English, Hindi, Marathi, Bengali and Gujarati. Counseling of the Chemotherapy Unit at Tata Memorial Hospital From April, Rati Datta started counseling patients undergoing chemotherapy in the general OPD under the guidance of Dr. Reena Nair every Wednesday and Friday morning. Rati talks to the patients, clearing their doubts, answering questions regarding dosage, side effects, hygiene, diet and nutrition. At Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children 34 new patients were registered during the month of April and 12 during May. 490 patients attended follow up of whom 126 patients are undergoing chemotherapy. 55 patients were counseled and given guidance and Vinaya Chacko visited 11 patients in their wards. 8 group meetings were held. 45 patients were given packets of Complan, 50 persons were given biscuits and 40 patients were given cooking oil. Counseling at Cama & Albless Hospital Cancer Ward 72 patients were counseled and given guidance by Iva Athavia during April and 45 patients during May. 103 ward visits were made. 25 patients were provided guidance regarding alternative therapy. 17 patients were provided ambulance service. 2 terminally ill patients were referred to Shanti Avedana Ashram. Rs. 15,405 was donated towards medicines and radiation costs. 60 packets of cooking oil, 4 bottles of chocolates and a box of biscuits were distributed among the patients. Nair Hospital (Radiation Department) 85 patients were counseled and given guidance at the Counseling Cell at Nair Hospital Radiation Department by Iva Athavia during April and 57 patients during May. 27 ward visits were made. 6 terminally ill patients were referred to Shanti Avedana Ashram. 44 patients were given information about alternative forms of medicines. Rs. 33,733 was donated towards radiation treatment. 23 packets of biscuits and sweets, 92 packets of cooking oil and 2 bottles of chocolates were distributed. 35 patients were given clothes. The Rehabilitation Centre adopted two new patients during April and 3 new patients during May. A total of 142 patients were given assistance. 64 cases of mastectomy were attended and breast prostheses were provided. 450 patients were given rations worth Rs. 57,419. Rs. 38,840 was spent on teachers' salaries, for patient education and vocational training. Rs. 2.03 lakh was spent on patients' wages and Rs. 49,994 was spent on welfare activities, conveyance and diet supplements during the two months. Cancer
Patients Aid Association Monthly Review is compiled by Dr. Shubha Maudgal
and printed by Mr. Suresh Mishra at Saraswati Printing Press Please
write in with your comments to: Smt. Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management
Centre, Anand Niketan, King George V Memorial, |
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