Periodicals
The cultural and literacy
periodicals, published in and outside
the district, are detailed in chapter XVIII, ‘Public Life and Voluntary Social
Service Organizations’.
Libraries
Libraries play an important role in the spread of education among the
masses, both in the urban and rural areas. In 1950, the Punjab Government setup
the Central Library Committee, with a view to coordinating and rationalizing
the existing library facilities and to provide more facilities for the proper
functioning of libraries and reading rooms run by the various Government
departments and local bodies. The Committee did an excellent work in
implementing the plan, known as the “Randhawa Paln”, which envisaged the
setting up of new libraries in healthy surroundings and furnishing them with
pictures and paintings concerning the Punjab and its people. Under the scheme,
a network of libraries has been set up, both in urban and rural areas of the
district. These are rendering useful service to the public.
The
types of libraries functioning in the district are as under :-
Panchayat
Libraries :- Generally , every panchyat in the district maintains a small
library for the promotion of education in the rural areas.
District Board libraries :- there are 3 Distirtc Board Libraries in the dsirtict of Ajnala,
RajaSansi and Lopoke. These are now maintained by the Zila Parishad, Smritsar.
Municipal Libraries :- The municipalities of Amritsar,Kham Karan, Jandiala Guru, Majitha
, Tarn Taran and Patti maintain libraries and reading rooms for the public.
Pandit MotiLal Nehru Municipal
Library, Amritsar :- The Pandit
Moti lal Nehru Municipal Library, run by the Municipal Committee,
Amritsar, is the biggest library in the district. Established in the early
twenties, the library is housed in spacious building. It contains about 30000
books on various subjects and subscribes to about 250 magazines and newpapers.
In different parts of the city, it runs 25 reading rooms which are provided
with newpapers, periodicals and
magazines.
The
library has also a children’s section which is provided with a number of books
and toys for the study and recreation of the children. The library is also
maintaining a film projector for the exhibiting films of educational and civic
value to the public.
Private
Llibraries :- the private libraries
, all located at Amritsar, are :
(i)
Sri
Guru Ram Das Library, Amritsar
(ii)
Swantantra
Nand Library, Amritsar
(iii)
Marwari
Pustkalya, Amritsar
These libraries contain quite a
large number of books on various subjects and topics.
School and College Libraries – All the high / higher secondary
schools and colleges have their own libraries meant for the use of their
students and teachers. The Khalsa College Library is a very big one and
contains a large number of books on various subjects.
Reading Rooms – There are 8 public reading –
rooms at Shamnagar, Kot Khalsa(Amritsar Tahsil); Shaheed, Marimegha(Patti
Tahsil); Chhina Bidhi Chand, Sirhali Kalan(Tarn Taran Tahsil); and Shansara
Kalan and Ghonewal(Ajnala Tahsil) in the district. There are also a number of
reading rooms in the municipal area of Amritsar.these reading – rooms have also
small libraries in addition to the newspapers, periodicals, etc.
Museum
Central Sikh Museum Amritsar – Established on July 11,1958, the
museum is housed in a big hall and some adjoining rooms on the second floor of
the Deohri (entrance) to the Golden Temple. It contains a good number of
exhibits including documents, old coins, paintings, weapons, etc., bearing on
the Sikh history.
MEDICAL AND
PUBLIC – HEALTH SERVICES
a)
Public
– Health and Medical Facilities in Early Times
The indigenous system of
medicine, known as the Ayurveda, has been prevalent in India from early times.
It was well advanced in the field of medicine and surgery. The diagnosis system
was also well developed. The grafting of certain parts of the body, e.g.,
rhinoplasty (the replacement of the nose), was a remarkable achievement of the
Ayurveda.
The term Ayurveda is
derived from the two words ayuh and veda, meaning ‘life’ and
‘knowledge’ respectively. The origin of the art of healing, like most other
matters chronological in India is, steeped in obscurity. Ayurveda is, however,
attributed to Indra or Brahma and traced back to about 8,000 years.
The practice of medicine in the remote past was more or less a prerogative of the priestly class who displayed a high standard of surgical and therapeutic skill. The lower strata of society, however, generally held the disease as an act of evil spirits and resorted to withcraft or sorcery.
With the advent of the
Muslims, the Unani system of medicine was also introduced in the country. In
course of time, both the Ayurvedic and Unani systems got so much intermingled
that it became difficult to distinguish the on from the other. Quite often, the
same physician practiced both the systems of medicine without any distinction.
Owing to the patronage of the Muslim rulers, the Unani system of medicine
became more popular in the urban areas while the Ayurvedic system was prevalent
in the rural areas.
In the field of public –
health, medical facilities provided for their subjects by different rulers
depended on the standard of welfare and economic condition of each particular
State. During the Sikh rule, particularly under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, a good
number of public hospitals and dispensaries were opened in the urban areas.
Some renowned private hakims and vaids also practiced in
Amritsar. The city of Amritsar received particular attention of Ranjit Singh
and his successors who paid generously towards the maintenance of medical and
public health services there. Amritsar, the biggest commercial city during the
period, was inhabited by rich people . They also did not lag behind in charity
and opened many free dispensaries for the welfare of the poor. This tradition
continued even under the British rule and thereafter. Amritsar still has the
maximum number of free dispensaries being run by rich philanthropist.
The allopathic system of
medicine was introduced into Amritsar after the annexation of Punjab by the
British in 1849. A hospital was opened near Ram Bagh. The Homeopathic system of
medicine though of German origin was also introduced Homeopathic Physicians
also practice by a chemistry. This system of medicine has however not received
Government patronage so far.
With the spread of
education , and the scientific treatment of human ills coming within the reach
of the people, the methods of faith,
cure and quackery are resorted to by a fewer people now. Homeopathy is
practiced by a few practitioner in the towns. The Ayurvedic and the Unani
systems are favored by some people because of the simple and familiar medicines
prescribed. The Government has given a better recognition to these systems ad
the number of their dispensaries in the district increased from 2 in 1953-54 to
17 in 1960-61 and to 19 (16 Ayurvedic and 3 Unani) in 1968-69.
In 1961 there was 1 medical
institution on an average for 73.7 sq km and 22,572 persons in the district in
the same year, the total number of allopathic physicians and surgeons and
dentist, ayurvedic physician , homeopathic physician and other physicians in the district was 2,160 (2,074
males and 86 females) out of these 1,142 ( 1,117 males and 25 females) were in
the rural areas and 1,018 ( 957 males and 61 females ) in the urban areas.
These included 479 ( 444 males and 35 females). Allopathic physicians and
surgeons, 951 ( 936 males and 15 females) ayurvedic physicians 189 ( all males),
homeopathic physicians and 346 ( 335 males and 11 females) other physicians
.
In 1968 there were 74 medical institution in the Amritsar district, out of these 40 were in the rural areas and 34 in the urban areas. The population served by one institution was 22,659 in the district as compared with 24,715 in the State as a whole. The average area covered by an institution was 4.358 km in the district as compared with 5.599 km in the State as a whole. The number of Doctors was 1,025 in the district as compared with 4,332 in the State as a whole. The population served by one Doctor was 1,636 in the District as compared with 2,910 in the state as a whole.
The
population of the district, according to the census from 1901 onwards , indicates
the trend of variation among the males and females as under :
|
Year |
Persons |
Variations |
Males |
Variations |
Females |
Variations |
|
1901 |
1187140 |
|
649086 |
|
538054 |
|
|
1911 |
1021225 |
-165915 |
573353 |
-75733 |
447872 |
-90182 |
|
1921 |
1077596 |
+56371 |
600140 |
+26787 |
477456 |
+29584 |
|
1931 |
1295270 |
+217674 |
718391 |
+118251 |
576879 |
+99423 |
|
1941 |
1621126 |
+325856 |
887893 |
+169502 |
733233 |
+156354 |
|
1951 |
1367040 |
-254086 |
742421 |
-145472 |
624619 |
-108614 |
|
1961 |
1534916 |
+167876 |
827821 |
+85400 |
707095 |
+82476 |
|
Total variation |
+347776 |
|
+17873 |
|
+169041 |
|
From 1901-1961 the population of the
district has constantly increased except during the first and fourth decades as
shown by the senses figures of 1911-1951 respectively. From 1901-1911, the
decrease in the population was due infectious diseases like plague, cholera,
smallpox and fevers. The decrease in the population as shown by the 1951 senses
was due to the partition of the country. The number of muslims whom migrated
was much more than the hindus and Sikhs who came. The general increase in the
population is due to the increase in the birth rate and decrease in the death
rate on account of the control measles against various infectious diseases and
a general improvement in medical and health conditions , consequent upon the
provision of better medical facilities by the Government.
The registration of the vital
statistics is compulsory in the rural areas. The chowkidars maintained the
birth death registers, similar records
are also maintain by the municipalities in the urban areas . Beside other advantages
, the procedure furnishes a dependable record of growth of population and
it help in visualizing the scope of the
measures to be taken to check the mortality rate and also to device ways and
means to effect family palnning. The Chief Medical Officer of the District
compiles the data. The table given in appendix 1 on page 503 indicates the
birth rate , the death rate, the infantile mortality rate etc.
There has been marked increase in
the birth rate from 1950 onwards. From the beginning of the third 5 year plan
1961-66 the birth rate has been on the
decrease. This has been due to the family planning programme. The spiral of
rise and rise in the standard of living has also been responsible for decrease
in the birth rate. The death rate in 1968 was less than half of that in 1953.
the infantile mortality rate was the highest in 1960 with the increase
availability of medical facilities, it gradually decreased and was the lowest
in 1968.
Important causes of Mortality :- The important cause of Mortality in
the district are fever , dysentery, respiratory diseases etc. the table in
appendix 2 on page 504 gives the number of death registered in district on the
basis of causes.
(c) Diseases
common to the District
1.
Fevers :- The largest number of deaths is
caused by fevers. These includes ordinary fevers, typhoid influenza and other
miscellaneous seasonal fevers including malaria. These fevers are caused by
infections or unhealthy living and im-balanced diet culminating in low
resistant. The causes are deep rooted and are as such difficult to eradicate.
In the past miscellaneous type of
medicines including quinine were used to check fever. At present Sulpha
drugs and Anti-biotic are most effective. Healthy living coupled with a
balanced diet checks the incidence of fever. Malaria has been checked by
applying DDT sprays. A detailed reference to the eradication of malaria is made
in the subsequent pages.
2.
Respiratory
Diseases :- Next
only to fever the respiratory diseases are responsible for deaths in the
district. These diseases are caused by different types of smokes , fumes,
wrappers of chemical gases released by the burning of charcoal, coak etc. The
necessary material used in Industry, these gases pollute the atmosphere all the
time and effect the heath of the people. Smoke is a constant source of
irritation of eyes throat and lungs . The laborers from the rural areas live at
Amritsar and Chheharta in small and dingy houses, those with poor health and
miserably low resistance fall and easy pray to the respiratory diseases.
Tuberclosis is carried by them back to the villages where the kith and kin ,
friends and associates run a great risk of contracting the diseases. Allergic
diseases like Bronchitis and Asthama are also caused by unhealthy air polluted
by smoke, fumes etc. Poisonous industrial waste also pollute the atmosphere and
cause respiratory diseases.
Proper
arrangements are essential for the regular discharge of harmful gases and
smokes. No doubt, the Factory Act, 1948, requires that a proper disposal
of harmful gases in the atmosphere
whould be ensured. But, in practice, this provision is disregarded. Moreover ,
factories must be located outside the city but, wing to one reason or another ,
a number of factories are still situated in the interior of the Amritsar City.
The
proper diagnostic facilities made available in the dispensaries and hospitals,
the latest researches in the medical science, the provision of institutional
facilities, domicilliary treatment, and the follow-up of cases due to diseases,
like tuberculosis and chronic bronchitis, have brought down the mortality
figures to a low level.
3. Malaria – Previously, malaria was one of
the main causes that took a heavy toll of life in the district, especially in
the bet areas. This disease used to spread during the monsoon season.
Quinine was the only available effective medidcine to check malaria. Early in
the fifties, the eradication of this disease was taken up at the national
level. Areference to this campaign will be of interest.
The
control programme against malaria was started in the district in 1953. during
the first phase, spraying with D.D.T.was taken up in the villages, giving two
rounds in a year. Blood slides of infants and children were also collected for
microscopical examination. For the enlargement of spleen, a survey was also
carried out to assess the infection in the district.
The
malaria unit enterd the attack phase in 1960. the district was divided into
four sub – units. The area of the sub – units was further divided into sectors
and sections, allotting the population between 10 and 15 thousands to each
survielllance worker. The area of four surveillance workers was coverd by one
Surviellance Inspector. The villages faling within the jurisdiction of a
surveillance worker were covered twice a month for active surveillance.
The
Medical Officers in charge of the medical institutions were deputed to prepare
the blood slides of all the patients who attended their institutions for
treatment. The positive cases detected under active and passive surveillance
were given radical treatment. Other necessary medical measures were also taken
to control the further spread of malaria in the district. The total number of
malaria cases in 1963 was 120.
The
whole area of the district, except 17 kilometers of the border belt, entered
the consolidation phase in 1964. Spraying in the border area was continued up
to 1966 and, during 1967, only 5 kilometers of the border belt area was
sprayed. The number of malaria cases in 1964 was 7 and in 1967 it was 5.
Apart of the Ajnala Tahsil entered
the maintenance phase in December 1965; 1-kilometer area of Tarn Taran and
Patti tahsils entered the maintenance phase in August 1966 and the rest of the
5 kilometers of the border belt area entered the maintenance phase in August
1967.
In the maintenance phase, the staff
for the sub – units was merged into the Primary Health Centers and, since then,
the malarias work has been carried on through the Medical Officers in charge of
the Primary Health Centers.
There are 15 Primary Health Centers
in the district, where Laboratory Technicians and Laboratory Assistants have
been put on duty to examine the blood slides collected by the Basic Health
Workers operating in the areas of the Primary Health Centers.
There is a Laboratory unit at the
district head – quarters under the Senior Laboratory Technicians. He is in
charge of the district, and pays regular visits to each Primary Health Center,
to improve the laboratory work and the cross – checking of the blood slides.
There are two Health Inspectors in
each Primary Health Center, and they supervise the work of the Basic Health
Workers.
The whole area of the district has
been divided between the Assistant Unit Officer and the Health Supervisor who
regularly check the working of the staff.
There is an Epidemiologist at
Amritsar who controls the N.M.E.P. (National Malaria Eradication Programme) in
the district. The Deputy Chief Medical Officer (Health) is overall in charge of
the programme and he is guided and supervised by the Chief Medical Officer.
The expenditure incurred in 1967-68 was Rs.2, 45,118 and in 1968-69 it was Rs.3, 91,040. The total number of cases in 1967 was 5, in 1968 it was 6 and in 1969 only 4. As compared with the other districts in the State, where a much larger number of cases have been reported, no area of this district has been reported back to the attack phase.
(iv) Communicable Diseases – Communicable diseases are
cholera, plague, smallpox, etc. A brief reference to each of these diseases,
with particular reference to the Amritsar District, is made below:
It is an epidemic disease. It was generally associated with mass gathering, especially at the Khumb Fair at Hardwar and the solar eclipse fairs at the Kurukshetra where pilgrims collected in large number. This disease used to spread on the return of the effected pilgrims to their bodies.
The Health department has made special arrangement for such occasion. All the dispensaries are directed to inoculate the person visiting the fairs. Besides, medical inspection team posts are established at all the important railway or road stations where strict supervision is exercised. At places where the fairs are held, special conservancy arrangements, the provisions of safe water supply, and the satisfactory collection and removal of the night soil are made. Specific arrangements to attend to cases of infectious diseases and to render medical aid to the pilgrim are also made.
There was an isolated case of death due to Cholera in 1952. Thereafter, no death has been reported to be caused by these diseases.
There was a time when this disease was feared most. Ever since its appearance in the Punjab in 1897, it had never been entirely absent from the Amritsar district till 1910. It remained the most dreadful disease in the district from 1901 to 1910 and the death toll in 1910 was 13,119. The district remained free from plague for many years, but, in 1933, the disease broke out in there, it spread to other parts of the district and caused 625 deaths. Since then the district has been free from this scourge.
The factor determining the appearance of these dreadful diseases cannot be stated with certainly. It is probable that there has developed some natural immunity from plague among the rats. Intensive deratting on systematic lines is conducted throughout the year. The chief antirat measures adopted are the laying of poison baits, the cyanogassing of arats holes, and the using of rattraps in the towns. Strict vigilance is kept to detect any excessive mortality among the rats.
It has never been absent from the State since the records of its occurrence have been kept. It has its periodical increased occurrence, varying from time to time. However with the provision of increased facilities for vaccination and revaccination, a remarkable reduction in the incidence of the disease has resulted. The incidence of smallpox and the detail of preventive measures taken against it in the District, during 1947-68, are given in appendix III on page 505.
(v) Tuberculosis: - It is a major problem; though no
definite surveys have been conducted in the district. The existing facilities
for treating all cases of tuberculosis are meager. This disease is a national
problem and is required to be met at the national level. To root out the
disease, emphasis is being laid on the preventive side of the control. B.C. G
programme has now been integrated with the other health activities of the
primary health units/ centers. B.C.G technician have been posted tehsil wise.
After covering the areas of one primary Health Unit/ Center, they move to
another Primary Health unit/ Center in the Tehsil. In the district, after
covering one area, the units move to another. The Technician visit every house
and try to contact each individual A permanent record is kept to check the
history of any T.B. patient found among person covered under the scheme. A
Medical officer has been made in charge of vaccination in respect of the
Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Kapurthala districts with head quarters at Amritsar. In
the Amritsarcity, the Municipal Committee has made its own arrangements for the
treatment of tuberculosis patients. Besides, two private institutions viz. the
Sir Gujjarmal Kesra Devi Sanatorium and the Rai Bhadur Rattan Chand Thapar T.B.
Clinic, are attending to T.B. patients.
(d) Medical and Public Health Services
Previously, medical services were
divided into two wings, viz. Medical and health. The District Medical officer
was responsible for the functioning of hospitals and dispensaries, and Medical
and surgical work in the district besides being the Government medico-legal
expert. The District Medical and Health Officer was in charge of the health
wing and was responsible for the improvement of sanitation, disease prevention
and health promotion service in the district. He was also to advice the
municipality on public health matters. Both the wings worked under the
administrative control of the Director health Service, Punjab. In April 1964,
these two wings were combined. Under the new arrangement, the Chief Medical
Officer is in charge of both the medial and health services in the district.
The Medical Officer, employed by the Zila Parishad, has also been put under his
control administratively. The member of staff employed by the Zila Parishad
working under the Chief Medical Officer, however, draw their salaries from the
Zila Parishad, This system has been enforced for the smooth and efficient working
of medical and health services.
In the district, the Chief Medical
Officer is assisted by 15 Medical Officer (Class I), 66 Medical Officers (Class
II), 63 Medical Officers (other categories), 387 nurses and midwives, 56 dais,
278 technicians and X-Ray Assistants, 90, Dispensers, besides ministerial staff
and other miscellaneous Class IV staff, numbering 101 and 948 respectively.
On the Health side, the Malaria Officer, vaccinators and those in charge of the medical dispensaries also assist the Chef Medical officer. The Zila Parishad performs similar functions. The municipalities also assist the Chief Medical Officer in the public health field. Out of all the Municipalities in the district, the progress made by the Amritsar Municipality in this field is particularly up to the mark. The Amritsar Municipality as employed 2 Chief Sanitary Inspectors and 7 Sanitary Inspectors who keep vigilant eyes over the sanitation. They are also empowered to take samples in respect of food adulteration. The Chief Medical Officer has also delegated full powers to thirty-nine persons (list given in appendix IV on pages 506-507). They can take samples of foodstuffs. This measures has been taken to check the adulteration of foodstuffs.
The entire population in the
district is vaccinated against small pox in order to eradicate the disease.
The eradication of malaria was taken
up at the national level. The disease has almost been eradicated from the
district. The detailed activities of the malaria unit have already been
mentioned in the preceding pages.
Hospital, Primary Health Centers,
Dispensaries etc.
The expenditure incurred by the
State Government on hospitals, primary health centers, dispensaries and other
health service in the district in 1968 was Rs 35,88,672. These medical
institutions include those pertaining to allopathic, Ayurvedic and Unani
systems. All these under the control of Chief Medical Officer, Amritsar.
Allopathic
Medical Institutions: - As on December 31, 1968, there were 74 medical
institutions (allopathic0 in the district. They’re tehsil-wise and area wise
break-up is given below: -
|
Tehsil/ District |
Total |
Rural |
Urban |
|
Tehsil Amritsar |
37 |
12 |
25 |
|
Tehsil Tarn Taran |
13 |
9 |
4 |
|
Tehsil Patti |
14 |
11 |
3 |
|
Tehsil Ajnala |
10 |
8 |
2 |
|
District Amritsar |
74 |
40 |
34 |
The management wise break-up of the above
74 Medical Institutions (allopathic) is: 42 State Public, 7 State Special, 7
Municipal, 6 Zila Parishad, 4 Private aided, 6 Private Non- Aided, and 2
subsidized.
The list of primary health centers, dispensaries, hospitals, family-planning units/clinics, maternity and child-health centers in the district are given in appendix V, VI and VII respectively on pages 508 to 515.
Some of the important Government
hospitals in the district are described below:
(i) V.J.Hospital, Amritsar. – Originally
started as a municipal hospital, the Victoria Jubilee Hospital, Amritsar, was
provincialized in 1891. It is one of the best hospitals in the State and
provides facilities for the diagnosis of diseases and for the treatment of
patients. The institution is also a postgraduate training center of medicine
and surgery.
The
special medical and surgical facilities available in the hospital are:
specialized medical consultation and treatment; specialized and treatment in
obstetrics and gynecology, including advanced cancer surgery, tuba surgery and
research in various aspects of the subject; radiology and routine cataract and
glaucoma surgery.
Attached
to the V.J. Hospital is the Ram Lal Eye and E.N.T. Hospital, which provides
specialized treatment of eyes, ears, nose and throat. Its bed capacity is 88,
which, during the operation season, may be increased fourfold.
(ii) Punjab Mental Hospital,
Amritsar – Started
in 1949, the hospital is situated on the Circular Road to the north of the
city. This is the only neighboring States.
The hospital provides the following types of treatment for mental patients:
Family-Care Unit: - The mental patients, who need
hospitalized treatment for a short period, ranging from a few days to a few
weeks, are admitted at the out-door level, in the general wards or in
single-seated rooms. This wing of the hospital has been named the Family-Care
Unit for the reason that one or two of the members of the family of the patient
are required to stay along with him and manage his clothing, feeding and giving
medicines under the medical supervision of the hospital.
Psychotherapy: - This
is a suitable type of psychiatric treatment given particularly to neurotic
patients through direct conversation with them. The patient problems are
studied in detail and then he is helped to solve them.
Occupational Therapy: - The
hospital has arrangements for giving to the patients creative and productive
work, which is organized not on any business basic but in a way that promotes
the treatment process. The hospital has facilities for agricultural work,
weaving, tailoring, carpentry, black smithy, painting, toy making, leatherwork,
carpet making, etc.
Child-Guidance Clinic: - The hospital runs a weekly clinic
for children who have mental problems or behavioral difficulties. Free
medicines are given to such children from the hospital and counseling is given
to their parents regarding the ways they may employ to help their children to
correct their behavioral difficulties and help them to grow up in the best
possible manner.
Electro-Conclusive Therapy: - Generally known as the
electric-Shock treatment, it is usually given to patients who come to the
hospital in an excited or withdrawn condition.
(iii) T.B. & Chest Diseases
Hospital, Amritsar: -
Originally known as the R.B. Sir Gujjar Mal Kesra Devi T.B. Sanatorium and Kotu
Mal Kesra Devi T.B. Infirmary, it was started in 1939 as a private institution.
This hospital was taken over by the Government in 1949.
The hospital has 255 beds for patients under going the treatment of tuberculosis and chest diseases. Facilities for minor surgical operations and routine laboratory investigations are available.
A
T.B and Chest-Diseases Center, which is a part of this institution, is located
on the campus of the V.J.Hospital, Amritsar.
Ayurvedic and Unani Medical
Institutions: -The
indigenous systems of medicine, viz. Ayurvedic and Unani are quite cheap and
suit the local needs. These have no side effects. However, owning to the lack
of the patronage by the British, these systems lost their popularity. After the
independence, the Government devised means to make these popular.
As
on December 31, 1968, there were 14 Ayurvedic and 4 Unani dispensaries and one
Ayurvedic hospital in the district. Their table-wise and area-wise break-up is
given below:
|
|
Total |
Rural |
Urban |
||||
|
Tehsil/District |
Total |
Ayurvedic |
Unani |
Ayurvedic |
Unani |
Ayurvedic |
Unani |
|
Tehsil Amritsar |
6 |
5 |
1 |
5 |
1 |
-- |
-- |
|
Tehsil Tarn Tarn |
7 |
5 |
2 |
5 |
2 |
-- |
-- |
|
Tehsil Patti |
3 |
3 |
-- |
3 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|
Tehsil Ajnala |
3 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
-- |
-- |
|
District Amritsar |
19 |
15 |
4 |
15 |
4 |
-- |
-- |
The State Government manages all these institutions. Their
detailed list is given in Appendix VIII on pages 516-517.
Blood Bank
Blood
transfusion is an unavoidable part of the treatment in many conditions. The use
of blood as a therapeutic measure is on the increase in all branches of
medicine and surgery.
There is a Blood
Bank in the V.J. Hospital, Amritsar. Its services are availed of by all the
hospital attached to the Medical College, Amritsar; those associated with the
V.J. Hospital, such as the Government Hospital for Women, T.B. Sanatorium, the
Ram Lal Eye & E.N.T.Hospital, Amritsar; private and local bodies hospitals,
such as the Prince of Wales Zenana Hospital, the Lady Emerson-Seth Chatarbhuj
Maternity Hospital, the Prem Sewak Hospital; and other hospitals in the
district.
The
work done by the Blood Bank in respect of collection and transfusion of blood
is given in Appendix IX on page 518.
School
Health Service
The
School Health Service Scheme was launched during the second Five-year Plan,
1956-61. A school Health Clinic was started in Amritsar in 1957. Two Medical
Officers (One Eye & E.N.T. specialist), I Dental Surgeon, I Public-Health
Nurse, 2 Dispensers, besides other miscellaneous staff have been provided for
the clinic. Under this scheme, the doctors visit the schools, examine the school
children and provide them with necessary medical aid. They give lectures to the
children regarding good habits. They also enlighten them on general hygiene and
cleanliness.
The details of work done by the
clinic, during 1964-68, are given below:
|
Year |
Number of schools visited |
Number of students examined |
Number of students treated |
Number of students examined by the Dental Surgeon |
Number of students given mass treatment for trachoma |
|
1964 |
8 |
8,079 |
8,206 |
5,503 |
453 |
|
1965 |
10 |
13,705 |
6,745 |
18,705 |
257 |
|
1966 |
4 |
4,477 |
3,748 |
4,530 |
323 |
|
1967 |
5 |
3,094 |
4,530 |
2,530 |
668 |
|
1968 |
7 |
5,624 |
323 |
5,411 |
296 |
(Source:
Chief Medical Officer, Amritsar)
In the rural areas, the school
health services are looked after by the Medical Officers in charge of the
Primary Health Centers/Units. As regards medical examinations, the Sanitary
Inspector/Dispenser and the Lady Health Visitor conduct them. The Medical Officers,
in charge of the Provincial Rural Dispensaries, look after the medical needs of
the school children in the areas within their respective jurisdictions.
Medical Aid
during Floods
Some
parts of the Amritsar District, particularly the Ajnala and Amritsar Tahsils,
used to be frequently affected by floods. Every year, the Ravi River and the
Sakki Nala worked havoc in the Ajnala Tahsil. Flood relief, in the shape of
food and medicines, was provided for the needy. Preventive measurement to check
disease was also taken. The floods have now been controlled. The malaria
disease has also been eradicated.