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PIXEL TO GEO - 175# - CROWN SIZE - 1 FORUM - IMA JAN - 14-1-12 - 1,300 COPES

Dr. S. Sachidananda Kamath bags the IMA National Award. Immediate Past President of IMA Cochin Branch, Sachi, received the IMA National President’s Appreciation Award for the Best Adjudged President of IMA Local Branch. He received the coveted award in a glittering ceremony held in Bangalore.

National Conference of IMA was held during 27-29 December 2011 in Sree Rajarajeswari Medical College, Bangalore. 1500 delegates from all over India attended the conference. IMA Cochin was represented by 4 member team led by President of Cochin Branch. Kerala State Branch was also once again in the limelight, bagging 14 awards in different categories.

It was indeed a befitting honour for Sachi who led IMA Cochin Branch during 2010-11, to towering heights. Dr. S.S. Kamath who sweated a lot aongwith Dr. Kuriype to bring IMA House a reality, put in all his efforts to bring IMA and medical fraternity at large closer to the society. A large chunk of his honours stand dedicated to the marvellous work put in by his Secretary Dr. M. Narayanan.

Well done Sachi !!

Hon. SecretaryDr. Varghese cherian35/1566, Janatha Road

Palarivattom P.O. Cochin 682 025 & 2345077(R), 94006 45077

drbobbyvc@yahoo.co.in

PreSIDentDr. abraham Varghese

‘Santhome’, Near Municipal Office Kalamassery, Cochin 682 033 & 2557867(R), 94477 97867(M)

drav@imacochin.org

treaSurerDr. Pramod Wariyar

Lakshmi HospitalDiwans Road, Cochin 682 016& 2315226 (R), 9447185226

pramod_wariyar@yahoo.com

MegaphoneM o n t h l y N e w s l e t t e r f r o m I n d i a n M e d i c a l A s s o c i a t i o n , C o c h i n B r a n c h

I M A C O C H I N N E W S

IMA House, J.N. International Stadium Road, Palarivattom P.O., Cochin 682 025 Ph : 6468466 Email : imacochin@gmail.com Website : imacochin.org Pr in ted & publ ished by IMA Cochin for c i rcu la t ion among IMA members only . des ign & product ion: p ixe l s tud io, cochin-28 & 2806 301

Honours for Sachi... and Kochi

Issue 100 January

2012

Topic MOLECULAR TECHNIQUES

IN LAB MEDICINE

Speaker Dr. Atul Thatai PhD Chief Molecular Scientist & Head Dept. of Molecular Diagnostics National Reference Laboratories

Date : 25th Jan. 2011, Wednesday

Time : 8.00 pm

Venue : IMA House

JANUARY CME

Sponsored by

DR. LAL PATHLABS

IMA Blood Bank Cochin, which revolutionised the transfusion services in Kerala 27 years ago, is bringing in another landmark service in the Blood Banking - Nucleic Acid Testing.IMA Blood Bank Cochin becomes the first Blood Bank in Kerala to introduce the NAT technology. NAT is meant to exclude the window period in HIV-1, HIV-2, HCV, HBC and WNV (West Nile Virus). What is the window period? It is the time lag between actual infection and time taken to detect the infection. There is always a chance to get the infection if donation / transfusion is done during the window period. With the advent of 4th generation kit for Elisa Testing (though expensive) being used in all modern blood banks acrss the country (like IMA Blood Bank) window period was brought down to 3-4 weeks. NAT further reduces the window period to 11 days. With the introduction of NAT Technology in Feb. 2012, IMA Blood Babnk will have the unique distinction of issuing only NAT tested blood. This in simpler terms is from safe blood to safer blood.

Watch for the 3rd red revolution.

1st Revolution : Starts IMA Blood Bank in Cochin, on 31st Jan. 1984

2nd Revolution : IMA Blood Bank starts the first component separation unit

in non-government sector in Kerala, in 1992

The 3rd Red Revolution in Kerala

From safe blood to safer bloodIntroduces NAT (Nucleic Acid Test) in IMA Blood Bank, Cochin

Reception to Mr. Padma kumar iPs ig, Ernakulam Range

on 25th Jan. 2012at 9.00 pm.

Lagoon members, come and enjoy your excLusive priviLeges

REstauRant - renovated and expanded

HEavEns - to relax and enjoy

gyM & HEaltH Club - Sauna, Jacuzzi, Spa

Swimming pool, Home Theatre Table Tennis, Shuttle Badminton, Billiards

lagoon members get the privilege of discount while renting auditorium, conference halls and apartments

Club RooMs - Exclusively for The Lagoon members and their guests. Please call front office for advance booking. Classy, elegant Club rooms available at rock bottom rent!

ImPorTanT TelePhone numBerSIma house front office - 0484-3925500, 3118081

Guest relations manager (ms. Shahnaz) - 93883 59129

Banquet manager (mr. Gokul) - 93883 59124

health Club - 98471 92279

restaurant seat booking - 0484-3925500 ext. to restaurant

A new CD to market IMA House is ready. Please identify organisaions and individuals who are likely to utilise our halls and auditorium for their functions and meetings. You can collect the copies of CD from IMA office and hand it over to prospective guests of Ima House. Please put in all your might and influence in increasing the utility of IMA HOUSE.

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Dear friends,

Happy New Year! The beginning of a new year provides us appropriate opportunity for reflecting, giving thanks and to look forward. With the committed and hectic lives we lead, we needed an indispensable respite for recharging. The Lagoon Nite gave all of us the much needed relaxation and enjoyment with events packed with fun, frolic and music.The overwhelming response to our inaugural session of the year long Golden hour Project — BLS programme was heartening. We could train and certify 95 school and transport bus drivers at our first class itself. The second session was held on Jan 15th at General Hospital.It is almost three years since IMA House made its debut, but its under­utilization has been a matter of concern. A teeny weenie effort by each of us by recommending our friends and business associates to use any of the facilities at IMA House will do a lot to ease the burden of loan we have to repay back. Request your full support for this cause.Jan 15th was observed as IMA Community Service Day. A state level function was held at IMA House on that day. The iIMA State leaders graced the occasion with their presence and guidance.Dr. Abraham Varghese Dr. Varghese Cherian President Secretary

Dear friends, Greetings from Megaphone.We need more inputs from our members on various activities of IMA and functioning of IMA House. Your suggestions (and criticisms, if any) will find a place in Megaphone.Our Blood Bank which revolutionised the Blood Transfusion scenario of Kerala is gearing up for another milestone. Once again IMA Blood Bank takes leadership in providing safest blood to all patients, by introducing the latest NAT Technology. Let us all rally behind the Chairman, Secretary and Blood Bank Trust to achieve this task.Dr. V.D. Pradeep Kumar Editor - Megaphone 98472 60677 imacochinnews @ gmail.com

From

Editor ’s Desk Our Column

On the Wings

Dr. S.R. Mohan (Cochin Hospital) and Mrs. Sreelekha Mohan chose IMA House to conduct marriage of their son Dr. Ranjith Menon to Dhanya. Dr. Ranjith Menon is Jr. Consultant in Medicine in Columbia Asia, Bangalore. Megaphone and IMA Cochin wish the newly married, a wonderful life ahead.

Dr. V.P. Gangadharan leading the panel discussion on Changing Horizons in Oncology. Also seen are other panelists Dr. Chitrathara, Dr. Arun R. Warier and Dr. Anupama

Mr. N.J. Natarajan is an ENT Surgeon, who runs a his own Karthikaa Hospital         in  Aroor.  He  doesn’t  confine  to  the  conventional   framework  of  a  Doctor.  A  voracious  reader  and  avid traveller, he has travelled  to 42 countries in 6 continents, mostly as a bag packer. To him each trip is a ‘spiritual treatment’. Nothing else can satisfy Dr. Natarajan who has spent weeks and months in Osho Ashram and Sikkim monasteries apart from creating bond with hundreds of friends in all the countries he travelled. One month in every year he forgets about his busy practice and starts off from his hospital wih a bag on his back. Excerpts from interview with Dr. Natarajan.Dr. V.D. Pradeep Kumar : When did your quest for travel begin ? Dr. Natarajan : Actually it was my passion for reading which led me to the travel. I was member of Ernakulam Public Library at the age of 8 years. I did read a lot. Serious reading took me to Osho, J. Krishnamoorthy, Mahesh Yogi etc. But in the field of literature, Madhvaikutty and VKN remain my fovourites. Reading led me to travel.Which was your first trip?My first travel was iin 1984 immediately after my house surgeoncy from Trivandrum Medical College. It was to Nepal. Next trip was in 1987 to South East Asian countries. I had only 500 Dollars and roamed around Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, along with my friend Narayanan Kutty. After that it was travel and travel one month every year.What did you gain from your trips?See, every travel is a new experience for me. When I started my travels there was no intenet. I had to depend upon books like Lonely Planet, Foot Print etc. In most of the trips I am alone. I spend a lot of time to study about the country much before I start off. I regularly write diary at night everyday, detailing my experience on that particular day. Many internet companies have offered sponsorship to visit a particular country and give them

the video film on that trip. I just cannot do that. I go to a country not to make film but to study the heart and soul of that country and its people.When most of us go to an alien country as tourists, you prefer to go as a traveller, all alone.See, it is a different experience . “ Fear of unknown” is the factor which tempts most of the tourists to go in package tours. It all depends on individual choice. I prefer to fully involve in my passion during my trip. I forget everything including my hospital and family, during my trip. New people, new culture and new experiences give me new vigour which I want for the next trip.Though you have travelled to 42 countries, it was after the 36th country you visited, you came out with two books on your travel. Why such a delay?I still have the diary notes and photographs of all the countries I have visited. Writing your experience and publishing the book is a long and tough job. It was due to compulsion by many of my friends I came out with two books, both in Malayalam. One is on Laos in South East Asia and another on Brazil. I am happy that both were well received. I prefer to write in Malayalam.What are your future plans ?I will continue to travel once in every year. I have just finished the paper work on my next book on Mexico and Mexican literature. All my books will be based on my personal experience only.Any tips to your colleagues in profession?I have always felt that even if you have travelled all over the world, it is an incomplete task if you have not travelled across the length and breadth of India. India is blessed with such a diversity in all its states. Tourists across the globe testify this fact. Go and explore India first.Dr. Natarajan who can speak Spanish, Portuguese, continue his travel spree which started in 1984. His wife, Smt. Lathalakshmi (General Manager , NEST ) lends all her support to him. His son Athul who is working in United States and daughter studying in Coast Rica really feel proud about their globe trotting father.

For Dr. N.J. Natarajan, Antartica is the place left to explore!!

DECEMBER CME

IMA Women’s Wing - December 2011

Medical Camps were held by Dr. Soje Kurien and Dr. Manju.Health Talks were held in CUSAT and Kakkanad by Dr. Lisamma and Dr. Chitrathara.

Adolescent Health Education is a major project of WIMA. Dr. Gracy Thomas continued to impart information to youngsters in Perunna, Aluva, Kaloor, N. Paravur Angamaly and Kalamassery.

Celebrating the State Award at GB Meeting

Premarital Counselling Classes were conducted by Dr. Dereena and Dr. Lisamma at 4 centres. Dr. Nandini & family helped in rehabilitating a cancer patient Mrs. Omana Bindu. Dr. Soje Kurien helped ‘Santhwanam Orphanage’ in Edappally. Dr. Tina Joy continued her regular visits to ‘Sradha’, School for differently abled children.

Next GB Meeting on 31st Jan.

Dr. Shalini Sudhindran Secretary

At CrossroadsA challenge - Decipher this prescription and identify the drug. Many of our doctor colleague do the same mistake.Are we doing justice to patients?Send your response to imacochinnews@gmail.com

IMA Charitable Medicine Bank - December 2011182 patients were issued medicines free of cost. Following doctors donated medicines to the Medicine Bank. Dr. Prasad, Dr. Sujith Vasudevan, Dr. Jeeson C. Unni, Dr. Sasikumar, Dr. Sreenivasa Kamath, Dr. Pramod Wariyar, Dr. K.K.R. Wariyar, Dr. Biren Thoompunkal. Thanks to all of them.

Dr. Najeeb K.H., Convenor, Medicine Bank

Haven’t you joined the Social Security Schemes of IMA yet?

Don’t be carried away by sweet and peppy talks of Insurance Agents. SS Schemes of IMA ensures more than ` 33 Lakhs to your family, if you are a member of all three schemes. For any assistance contact, IMA Resource persion for PP Scheme and SS Scheme, Dr. M.M. Hassan (94479 00219).

AAPI (American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin) will be organising Global Health Summit in January 2013. IMA Cochin has offered all support to the Summit. The first meeting of participating organisations was held in IMA Cochin. Incoming President of AAPI Dr. Narendra Kumar heads the organising team.

Blood Donation Camp in SP Yogam LP School Hall. Dr. V.D. Pradeep Kumar inaugurated the camp, answered queries from prospective blood donors.

IMA Blood BankTotal 855 units of blood were collected and 2636 units of blood and components issued. Patients in 86 hospitals were beneficiaries and 88 units of blood issued free of cost. 14 blood donation camps were conducted.Dr. K. Narayanan Kutty, Chairman Dr. Sunil K. Mathai, Secretary

beginning of a lasting relation....

Dr. John K. Vettath receives the Life Time Achievement Award from the Association of Surgeons of India. He was one among five, selected

from all over India, to get the award. Congratulations !

Cochin Surgical Society and Association of Surgeons of India (Kerala Chapter) hosted the 71st Annual Conference of the ASI in Cochin. Hon’ble Minister K. Babu seen inaugurating the conference. Congrats Dr. C.G. Reghu (Org. Chairman) and Dr. Santhosh John Abraham (Org. Secretary) for a fantastic show. As a part of membership campaign, the State President &

Secretary visited the IMA House Cochin on 12th Jan 2012 to attend the meeting organised by the District Task Force, Ernakulam Dist. Leaders from 8 IMA branches attended the meeting. The filled application forms of membership and various schemes were handed over to the President.

Guruvandanam, free knee replacement surgeries to teachers

at KIMS Hospital, Kalamassery. Dr. Abraham Varghese at the

inaugural function.

Membership campaign by State President & Secretary

O f all the continents in Earth, Antartica is the only place where Dr. Natarajan has not put his foot. When I met him, he had just landed back in Cochin, after his latest trip to the 42nd country. He has travelled and stayed in all

the countries he visited, as a back packer - alone, on a shoe string budget, using public transport and staying in budget hotels. List of countries in his kitty is too long..... Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, Sweden, Denmark, Lexumburg, Belgium, France, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Brunei, Syria, Jordan, Iran, Zanzinbar, Egypt, Australia, Newzealand, Switzerland, Germany, Japan, Italy, UK, North America..... and the list goes on.

“Even as a boy i heard lot about angkor temples in Cambodia, and if somebody asked which is the first place in planet Earth I would love to visit even without winking an eyelid i would have said angkor in Cambodia. but the fact was that only after two decades of globetrotting and to few dozen countries I could reach my dream destination.My travel to Angkor half a dozen years ago ,was not an easy one. Very few airlines operated then and squeezed the travelers even their last drop of blood. an onward and return bangkok –siem Reap trip which lasted just an hour ,bangkok airways which had the air monopoly then charged travelers 300-400 usD for a return. now with budget carrier air Asia flying to Siem Reap a cochin back ticket just cost 15000/ rupees.angkor Wat is a spectacular temple complex spread across 3.5 kilometres. built in 12th century by king suryvarman ii, the temple’s

balance and beauty make it one of the finest monuments in the world. When you stand in a massive complex like this built by an ancient civilisation, it makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck and arms. it is truly an awesome sight....”

Planning to dine out with your family or friends?

Enjoy it in the Multicuisine Restuarant in IMA House