(iii)
National Cadet Corps.—It was started in the country in 1948.
The aims of the National Cadet Corps are to develop character and comoradeship,
the ideal of service, and capacity for leadership in young men and women, and to provide service training
to young men and women so as to stimulate interest in them for the defence of
the country and to build up a reserve of manpower to enable the armed forces to
expand rapidly in national emergency. With its motto, “Unity and Discipline”.
National Cadet Corps has been serving a useful purpose especially in the border
areas. Its training syllabus includes military training on various subjects
like drill with and without arms, weapon training, field craft, map reading,
hygiene and sanitation, organization, civil defence, first-aid, home-nursing,
signal training and social services. Besides, training in National Cadet Crops
helps in securing jobs in the Army, Police and B S F (Border Security Force).
The number of students on the rolls in the National Cadet Corps in the
district, as on 31 March 1989 was as under :
Boys Girls Total
Senior Division .. 800 800
Junior Division .. 600 600
(iv) Bharat
Scouts and Guides.—The Bharat Scouts and Guides, Punjab,
has its State headquarters at Chandigarh. There is a district association in
every district. In the Patiala District, it is functioning under the Deputy
Commissioner and District Education Officer, Patiala. The total strength of
Bharat Scouts and Guides, Cubs and Bulbuls in the district, as on 31 March 1989
was 4,769.
The organization trains boys and girls in the
principles and practices of the scouting movement. Training camps are held for
teachers and students. The training imparted inculcates in the trainees the
qualities of self-help, discipline, and the spirit for good service to all at
all times. They are also taught first-aid. They render service at festivals,
exhibitions, etc. in maintaining order and also render aid to the helpless, the
sick and the wounded.
The motto of Bharat Scouts and Guides is ‘Be
Prepared’.
There is only one institution in the district, viz.
Government College for Women, Patiala, which in addition to the general studies
imparts education in Fine Arts and Music. It has the provision of courses right
from the Pre-University (Fine Arts) to the level of M A Music (Vocal and
Instrumental) and M A Fine Arts (Painting and Drawing). There is also a
provision for teaching of these subjects in most of the girl’s schools and
college in the district as a part of the curriculum.
(g)
Oriental Schools and Colleges
There are two institutions in the district for
providing education in oriental learning, viz. Government Sanskrit Mahavidyala,
Nabha and Government Institute for Oriental and Modern Indian Languages,
Patiala. These colleges are affiliated to the Punjabi University, Patiala. A
brief account of these colleges is given below:
Government Institute of Oriental and Modern Indian
Languages, Patiala.—The college was started in 1902 by Maharaja Mohinder Singh
of erstwhile Patiala State. In the beginning, it was affiliated to the Punjab
University, Chandigarh, but in 1969 it came under the jurisdiction of Punjabi
University, Patiala.
The College prepares students for Pragya, Visharad,
Shastri, Rattan Bhushan and Prabhakar in Hindi and Bhudhiman, Vigiyan and Gyani
in Punjabi. The college also provides instructions in Honour classes in Sanskrit,
Hindi and Punjabi. The training in National Service Scheme is also given.
Government
Sanskrit Mahavidyala, Nabha.—It was started as a school in 1903 by
Maharaja Hira Singh of Nabha State. It was taken over by the PEPSU Government
in 1955. In 1972, it was raised to the status of a Mahavidyala, (college). The
college prepares students for Pragya, Visharad, Shastri (Part-I and II),
Acharya and Prabhakar. Training in National Service Scheme is also given. A
number of cultural and literary societies also function in the college. The
college brings out its magazine named ‘Megha’ annually.
(h) Education for the Handicapped
Home-cum-School for the Blind, Patiala.—It was
established in 1973 at Patiala to enable the blind children to get education
and training in some professions. The students are given training in music and
vocational training in arts and crafts. This institution is run by the Central
Social Welfare Board and Social Welfare Department, Punjab. The students of
this institution also prepare candles, dusters, napkins, woollen garments, etc.
During 1988-99, there were 8 children on the rolls of the school.
School for
Deaf and Dumb, Patiala.—Established in 1967, the school has
been functioning under the management of ‘Society for the Handicapped’. It is
financed by public donations, subscriptions and grant from the Social Welfare
Department, Punjab. Hostel facility for the students is also available. During
1988-89, there were 25 (14 boys and 11 girls) students on the rolls of the
school.
(i)
Adult
Literacy, Social Education and Measures for the Diffusion of Culture among the
Masses
In 1988-89, the
number of centres in operation was 298 (15 males and 283 for females) in the
Patiala District. The number of adults admitted in these centres was 8,143 (279
males and 7,864 females).
Non-Formal Education Scheme.—Under this scheme, children between
the age group of 9-14 years, who had left their studies earlier, due to one
reason of the other, are taught non-formally for two hours daily from the stage
they discontinued their studies. At the end of the academic year, some of them
appeared in examination in the regular schools in the class for which they
complete their studies in the non-formal education centre. In 1988-89, 100 such
centres were functioning in the district. Part-time teachers are deputed for
this purpose and each teacher is paid Rs. 100 per month. These centres are
looked after by 5 Supervisors, who are on deputation from the Education
Department.
(j) Cultural and Literary Societies
All
colleges/schools have different type of societies and sabhas which aim at spreading cultural activities among the
students. The schools and colleges also draw up interesting cultural programmes
and participate in the national functions. Besides the above, North Zone
Cultural Centre and a number of cultural and literary societies are functioning
in the district which are mentioned below:
North Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala.—The North Zone
Cultural Centre is a society registered under the Societies Registration Act,
1860 (Act No.21 of 1860) with its registered office at Sheesh Mahal, Patiala.
It was formally inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, on 6 November
1985. As regards its organizational set up, it has a governing body which is
headed by the Governor, Punjab, as Chairman. The Government of India, through
Ministry of Human Resources and Development is actively involved in the
activities of this centre. The day-to-day administration of the centre is
looked after by the Director.
The main functions
and activities of this centre are to preserve, innovate, promote, project and
disseminate of arts of the zone comprising the states of Juammu and Kashmir,
Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and the Union Territory of
Chandigarh and any other contiguous state/union territory that falls under the
broad disciplines of Sangeet Natak, Lalit Kala and Sahitya and to develop and
expand a Zonal Centre of excellence in creative arts; to develop and promote
the rich diversity and uniqueness of various arts of the zone and to upgrade
and enrich consciousness of the people about their cultural heritage; to lay
special emphasis in its activities on the linkages among various areas through
evolution of styles and their contribution to the larger composite identity of
cultural heritage of India to make special efforts to encourage folk and tribal
arts and to frame special programmes for the preservation and strengthening of
vanishing art forms, to frame such programmes as would encourage and involve
the youth of the Zone amongst themselves and with the youth of the rest of the
country in creative cultural communications through the process of seminars
exchanges and workshop on matters relating to the cultural heritage of India,
to pursue such other activities and programme as would strength and promote the
cultural inter-linkages amongst states, including setting up of sub-centres
within the zone; to establish administer, control and manage North Zone
Cultural Centre and manage all movable and immovable properties therein, and to
grant fellowship and scholarship for carrying out or study in furtherance of
these objects.
The North Zone
Culture Centre organised two day’s cultural function at Patiala on 7 and 8
November 1985, which was witnessed by a large number of people. Artists from
the five states, viz. Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Jammu
and Kashmir participatd in this function with their art pieces and food stalls,
etc. A cultural function was also organised at the Punjab Agricultural
University, Ludhiana and artists from all the five member states took part in
it.
Progressive Dramatic Club, Patiala.—It was established
in August 1972. The club organises cultural functions and participates in
various cultural competitions and youth festivals organised at regional and
university levels. It has staged a number of plays. The number of artists
working for the club during 1989 were 112 (25 females, 67 males and 20
children). It has also been running a children theatre and has presented plays
with the help of children below 14 years, representing various schools. This
club has won a number of prizes from the Language Department, Punjab, Patiala
and Sangeet Natak Academy, Ludhiana.
Roopak Kala Sangam, Patiala.—It was established in 1955 to
promote cultural activities in the district. The main aims of the Roopak Kala
Sangam are : to educate and entertain the masses in order to raise their social
standard through the medium of stage, to eradicate superstitions and class
distincitions, to serve the fine arts and function as an agency of the
exploitation of the amateur talent, to co-ordinate the activities and to
promote co-operation between the artists, play-writers and the theatre going
people, and to help the victims of natural calamities like floods, etc. it has
staged a number of plays at Patiala and other places in the State.
Rang Darpan,
Patiala.—It was established in 1973. It has Produced more than 15 full length
plays. The group presented a full length play Noor Jahan (in Punjabi) in
December 1977 at Calcutta in a festival organised by the Language Department,
Punjab, Besides, it presented some Hindi and Punjabi plays. The area of the
activities of the Rang Darpan is Punjab and Chandigarh. It plays a significant
role for the development of cultural activities.
Besides the above,
there are some more cultural societies functioning in the district. The main
activities of these societies include, plays, dances, songs, music, etc. The
other cultural societies are, Natt Sansar, Patiala; Patiala Art Theatre ,
Patiala; national Theatre Arts Society (India), Patiala; Lalit Kala Parishad,
Patiala: Theatre of Arts, Patiala and Natik Kala Sangam, Mandi Gobindgarh.
Yuvak Sahit Sadan, Punjabi, Patiala.—It was established
in July 1981. It is purely a literary and cultural organisation. Young writers
from all walks of life are its members. Its main aims and objects are: to
create a liasion among the literary persons, to guide and encourage budding
writers, and to inculcate the spirit of unity among the people by organizing kavi darbars and Kahani Sammelen. The
Yuvak Sahit Sadan launched its weekly paper Sajre
Phul in Punjabi in January 1982 from Patiala. It has also adopted two
children for imparting them education upto Matric level. In 1988-89, it had 24
members.
Besides the above
mentioned literary society, a few other literary societies functioning in the
district are; Punjabi Sahit Sabha, Bhadson (Patiala); Punjabi Sahit Sabha,
Patiala; Likhari Sangram, Patiala; Punjabi Sahit Sabha, village and P O Ghaga
(Patiala); Nabha Sahit Sadan, Nabha (Patiala); Tirvani Sangam, Patiala; Tirvani
Sahit Parishad, Patiala and Sarokar, Patiala.
With the spread of
education, libraries are becoming popular in the district. The library movement
gained momentum after the Independence. The village library scheme was introduced
in 1950 when some panchayats opened libraries and reading rooms. All the
municipal committees and notified area committees in the district maintain
libraries and reading rooms for public use. The schools and colleges in the
district have also their libraries for the use of students and teaching staff.
Generally, most of the panchayats in the district maintain small library
reading rooms for promoting education and general knowledge among the people in
the rural areas. All these libraries are doing useful service to the people.
These libraries subscribe to a number of daily newspapers, weeklies,
fortnightly and monthly magazines. Apart from the above, the following
important libraries also function in the district.
Musafir Memorial Central State Library, Patiala.—It was established
in 1955 by the government of PEPSU as the Central Public Library and it was
opened to the public on 23 July 1956. In 1956, when PEPSU was merged with
Punjab State, the library became State Library for the areas covered by the
erstwhile PEPSU State, while the Central State Library , Chandigarh covered the
old Punjab areas. On the reorganization of the State of Punjab on 1 November
1966 , the Chandigarh Library became the State Library of Union Territory of
Chandigarh and this library became the Central State Library of the reorganized
Punjab. In 1978 , the library was renamed as Musafir Memorial Central State
Library in honour of late Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir, the literary Chief
Minister of Punjab.
The State Library
provides free service to the people with a nominal security deposit. No
subscription is charged from the members readers for the service rendered by
the library. Some rare and valuable books are also available in this library.
The reference section of this library has got a very rich collection of rare
books and manuscripts. Research scholars from far and near take advantage of
the valuable material vailable in this section. A picture gallery is also
attached have been displayed. This library is also a centre of cultural
activities. Attached to this library is an auditorium with a seating capacity
of 800. There is also a lecture hall, which can accommodate about 250 persons.
As on 31 March
1989, the library had 95,542 books. It
subscribed to 19 newspapers and 69 journals and had 2,718 menuscripts. The
number of members of this library as on 31 March 1989 was 10,712 and 2,459 of
adult section and children section, respectively. A few important books
composed/written in Sanskrit, Persian and Gurkmukhi are also available in the
library.
The District Library, Nabha.—The District Library, Nabha was
established in 1946. It is under the control of the Education Department,
Punjab. As on 31 March 1989, it had 28,368 books and 1,541 members. It
subscribed to 13 newspapers and 26 periodicals. It provides free service to the
people and plays an important role in the spread of education. Some rare and
valuable books are also available in the library. A few important books
composed/written in Sanskrit, Persian and Gurmukhi are also available in the
library.
Netaji Subhash Institute of Sports Library, Patiala—It is one of the
the finest in Asia. The library is very popular for providing the reference
material to research scholars in sports in India as well as other Asian countries.
It also subscribes to the best set of sports journals from all over the world
on various subjects of sports and games. The library also runs bi-monthly
documentation service in eighteen sports disciplines, both in English and
Hindi.
The International Amateur
Athletic Federation has presented many valuable books on track and field which
have been found useful by the coashes/trainees undergoing training for Diploma
Course conducted by IAAF at NIS. The total volumes at present available in the
library, are 16,601. The periodicals section is regularly receiving various
journals from all over the world to support training and teaching programme on
various faculties at the NIS under the Cultural Exchange Programme of
Government of India, the library is regularly exchanging literature with
friendly countries.
Punjabi University,
Library.—Established in 1963, Punjabi University Library has a pivotal role in
the conception and execution of various activities of the University. A special
feature of the main library, which now has on its records over 2.5 lakh books
and subscribes to about 1,400 journals, is the braille library. It has 600
books, special typewriters, tape recorders and cassettes, for the use of the
blind students.
It is housed in a
commodious five storeyed building having beautiful reading rooms with seating
capacity of 300 students. It has procured 21 personal libraries, which are a
rich source for research in Punjab history and culture and Punjabi language and
literature, from eminent scholars of the State.
Punjabi Reference
Library was set up in the year 1980 with a view to procuring and making
available for research/consultation every book, periodical, tract and other
reading material in Punjabi language published anywhere in the world. It also
stocks non-print material in the form of films, micro-films, micro-fiche, etc.
So far, more than 8,000 titles have been acquired. The library subscribes to
114 Punjabi periodicals and newspapers.
National Sports Museum.—The National Sports Museum at the NIS,
Patiala, which came into being on 4 March 1972, has grown enormously over the
years. It has the precious collections of the late Maharaja Yadavindra Singh of
Patiala, the late Prof Moinul Haq, the late Shri Pankay Gupta, the late Col C K
Naydu and of many living personalities like, Capt S Mushtaq Ali, Shri Balbir
Singh Shri Milkha Singh, Shri Rouneq Singh, Shri Michal Farreira, the late Maj
Dhayan Chand and other renowned sportsmen and sportswomen.
A
shield of the first Asian Games in New Delhi 1951, a medal of the first Asian
Swimming Meet in Dhaka, a medal plate of the IX Asian Amateur Boxing
Championship in Bombay; stamps of 12 African Nations competition; a souvenir of
the Amateur Swimming Federation of Korea; article and souvenirs of PIA Champion
Trophy; Moscow Olympic 1980; IX Asian Games 1982; Los Angles Olympic 1984 and a
host of other very interesting items donated by the sports celebrities are on
display in the Museum.
Renowned
Sports figures like Muhammad Ali (Boxing) Young Sunkim (Table-Tennis) and so on
have also donated some of their articles to the Museum.
The
prized possession in the Museum is the photograph of late Mrs Indira Gandhi,
the Prime Minister of India taken during the International Olympic Committee
Session held in New Delhi on 25 March 1983, where she was honoured with the
Olympic Order Gold Medal by the President of International Olympic Committee,
Mr Juan Antonia Samaranch.
Some
articles like Table-Tennis bats autographed by World Champion and Souvenirs
autographed by gold and silver medalists (Boxing) in Seoul Asiad 1986 have been
added to the collection. A replica of ‘Daronacharya Award’ has been received
for the Museum. A number of articles concerning Seoul Asian Games 1986 have
been collected for the Museum.
Medical
and public Health services
(a) Public Health and Medical Facilities in Early Times
The growth of
medical and public health services is a recent phenomenon. Earlier, only two systems
of medicine, viz. Ayurveda & Unani were prevalent. People in rural areas
ascribed the incidence of diseases to evil influences rather than considering
them as physical disorders. Hence, the emphasis was laid on propitiating the
evil spirits than providing medical assistance in whatever way it was
available. They even got themselves treated from persons known for practising
magic and witchcraft and dispensing charms.
In
ancient times, yoga was also practised by the people to develop a sound mind in
sound body. Besides, daily bath, washing of hands before and after meals, mouth
wash, etc. were a routine to avoid infections.
The
indigenous system of medicine, known as Ayurveda has been prevalent in India
from early times. It was fairly advanced in diagnostics. Muslim rulers
introduced the Unani system of medicine, which became more popular in urban
areas due to the patronage of the rulers. But in the rural areas, Ayurvedic
system continued to be practised.The factors responsible for the popularity of
these systems were availability, cheapness and effectiveness of drugs and also
the underdeveloped social and economic conditions then prevailing. To sum up,
in early times the field of medicines was shared by Ayurveda and Unani systems
and a good number of quacks and faith-healers on whom a section of society
pinned its faith.
The
allopathic system of medicine was adopted by the rulers of erstwhile Patiala
and Nabha states first for their own princely households and, later organized
as a system of medical relief for their subjects. A regular Medical Department
was organized by Maharaja Mohinder Singh of Patiala State in 1873 which was
placed under a Surgeon-Major, CM Calthrop. He was the first Medical Adviser to
the State and also had the charge of vaccination work. The medical and sanitary
institutions and establishments of the Patiala State were also under the
direction of the Medical Adviser, who was an officer of the Indian Medical
Service. The Medical Adviser to the State was known as Surgeon-Major. He was assisted
by an Assistant Surgeon, of the Rajendra Hospital and was also a Civil Surgeon
of Patiala. The Rajendra Hospital with 56 beds was opened in 1877. Lady
Dufferin Hospital was started in 1890 and put under the charge of a Medical
Lady Superintendent. Besides the Rajendra and Dufferin Hospitals, the other
medical institutions at Patiala were imperial Service Troops Hospital, Jail
Hospital and City Branch, Poor-house, Local Troops and Police out-patient
dispensaries. There was an outlying dispensary at Rajpura, which was under the
charge of an Assistant Surgeon. The other dispensaries at Banur, Samana and
Sirhind were under the charge of Hospital Assistants. In 1903, the Hendley
Female Dispensary was opened under the charge of a European Lady Doctor at Patiala.
Prior
to 1880, there was no hospital in the princely State of Nabha. But State Hakims were entertained and they used to
treat the sick. In 1880, Unani dispensaries were established at the capital and
the headquarters of each nizamat each having a Hakim, and attar or
compounder and a jarrah or blood
letter. Medicines were given free and patients were sometimes given food also.
Allopathic system of medicine was adopted in 1890, when dispensaries were
opened at each nizamat and in the
capital of the princely State. A few years later, dispensaries were opened at
each thana. Lansdowne Hospital was
built at Nabha to commemorate the visit of Lord Lansdowne, the first Viceroy,
who visited the State. The hospital comprised two wings—one for males and other
for females and was under the charge of a Medical Superintendent. There was
also a military hospital at Nabha Contonment. All these medical institutions
were under the control of Chief Medical Officer, Nabha.
At
present, all the four systems of medicine, viz. Ayurveda, Unani, Homoeopathy
and Allopathy are practised. Of these, allopathy is more popular on account of
Government patronage enjoyed by it during
the past more than a century and a very advanced research in the field
of surgery. The State Government has also decided to popularise the indigenous
system of medicine and a separate directorate has been established for
Ayurvedic and Unani system. Homoeopathy is also becoming very popular and the
Government has also created a separate department for Homoeopathy.
After
the Independence of country in 1947, a great emphasis was laid on medical and
public health facilities. On the formation of PEPSU in 1948, many new
dispensaries were opened in the district. The conversion of rural dispensaries
into primary health centres and opening of family planning/welfare centres were
features of the Five-year Plans. Maternity and child health centres have been
opened at Samana, Rajpura, Banur, Gobindgarh and Lalru. In 1961, there were 42
hospitals and dispensaries, 5 maternity welfare centres, 5 functioning in the
district, which rose to 19 hospitals, 4 community health centres, 30 primary
health centres, 110 subsidiary health centres, 38 dispensaries, 49 Ayurvedic
and 1 Unani institution, 8 homoeopathic dispensaries, 5 maternity and child
welfare centres and 17 family welfare centres on 1 Apirl 1989.
The
registration of vital statistics is compulsory in the State. Statistics about
births and deaths are most important for planning and working of health programmes.
These are helpful in determining the growth rate of population and finding the
percentage of deaths due to certain diseases.
The
Director, Healthy & Family Welfare, Punjab is the ex-officio Chief Registrar,
Births and Deaths, in the State for the purpose. At the district level, Civil
Surgeon is the District Registrar, Births and Deaths. The District Health
Officer and in his absence, Assistant Civil Surgeon has been appointed as
Additional District Registrar, Births & Deaths to help the District
Registrar in discharging his responsibilities.
The
registration area has been divided in two sectors, i.e. rural and urban areas.
The registration hierarchy in these sectors is as under :
Rural Areas.—In the rural areas, the Station House
Officer of a police station has been notified as the Local Registrar, Births
and Deaths for the villages falling under his jurisdiction. Although it is the
responsibility of the head of the household to get the vital events registered
with the Local Registrar, the services of the Chowkidars are provided to the
villagers who record the events in the Chowkidara
books and get it registered with Local Registrar within the scheduled time
limit, i.e. 14 days for births and still births and 7 days for deaths.
Urban Areas.—In the urban areas, the Municpal
Corporation/Municipal Committee/Notified Area Committee is the Local
Registration Centre. The Municipal Medical Officer of Health and in his
absence, Executive Officer/Secretary/Administrator is the Local Registrar,
Births & Deaths.
The
birth rate, death rate and infantile mortality rate per thousand per annum in
the district during the last decade as so from 1976 to 1988, are given below:
|
Year |
Birth rate per
thousand population |
Death rate per
thousand |
Infant mortality
rate under 1 year of age against per thousand live birth |
|
1976 |
23.62 |
7.02 |
47.89 |
|
1977 |
21.46 |
|
|
|
1978
|
2016 |
|
|
|
1979
|
21.38 |
|
|
|
1980
|
23.80 |
~ |
|
|
1981
|
22.70 |
|
|
|
1982
|
21.78 |
|
|
|
1983
|
19.81 |
|
|
|
1984
|
19.93 |
|
|
|
1985
|
19.51 |
|
|
|
1986
|
21.75 |
|
|
|
1987
|
22.58 |
|
|
|
1988
|
22.03 |
|
|
(Source : Chief
registrar, Births and Deaths, Punjab, Chandigarh)
Main Causes of Mortality.—The main causes of mortality in the
direct are fevers, dysentery, diarrhoea, respiratory diseases, etc. The table
at Appendix I on page 527 gives the statistics regarding some of the important
causes of mortality.
(c) Diseases
Common to the District
While
there are many diseases which occur in the district, yet there are some
diseases which occur more frequently and effect more persons as compared to the
diseases which occur less frequently and effect less people. The diseases which
occur more frequently are called common diseases and are briefly mentioned as
under :
(i)
fevers.—The
diseases which occur more commonly and affect more persons in the district are
ordinary fevers, typhoid, influenza other seasonal fevers such as malaria, etc.
These diseases are caused either due to unhygienic conditions or infections or
malnutrition, or imbalanced diet. But due to timely steps of the Health
Department, Punjab, these disease have been controlled to a large extent.
(ii)
Respiratory
Diseases.—The other common diseases which are generally responsible for
the deaths in the district are respiratory diseases. These diseases are caused
by different types of smokes, fumes, vapours of chemicals, gases released by
the burning charcoal, coke, etc. Smoky and dingy rooms without smoke outles,
window, and ventilaters, cause breathing troubles and respiratory diseases.
Allergic diseases like bronchites and asthma, etc. are also caused by environmental
pollution. Due to timely steps of the Health authorities, the number of deaths
by the respiratory diseases has decreased considerably in the district. It was
818 in 1982 which decreased to 2 in 1989.
(iii)
Malaria.—It is
caused by blood parasite called ‘Plasmodiom’ which is present in malaria
patient blood. Malaria had been undoubtedly the most important public health
problem in the Punjab. It was a dreadul disease for years together and took a
heavy toll of lives. Malaria epidemics occur from year to year after excessive
monsoon rainfall. Quinnine, the only remedy for malaria was distributed in
rural areas through various agencies. It, no doubt lowered the incidence, but
could not eradicate the disease completely. It was only after the Independence
that steps were taken to control and ultimately, eradicate malaria. The steps
taken to eradicate this disease are detailed below:
(a)
National
Malaria Control Programme (NMC).—To check the menace of malaria, the
Government of India initiated in 1953 a centrally sponsored and aided scheme
viz. National Malaria Control Programme. The main unit of NMCP was set up at
Patiala which continued till the end of 1957. Under this programme two rounds
of 50 per cent suspension of DDT at the rate of 100 mg per sq. feet were given
as, intra demiciliary application of residual insecticies to interrupt
transmission.
(b)
National
Malaria Eradication Programme (N M C P).—On the advice of W H O
(World Health Organisation), the National Malaria Control Programme was
redesigned as the National Malaria Eradication Programme in 1958. The object of
the programme was to eliminate the disease all together by a thorough and
effective attack on the mosquito and human reservoir by application of
insecticides and administration of anti-malaria drugs. Accordingly a
hyper-endemic unit under the N M C P which was based on the endemicity of
malaria in the area covering Patiala District started in 1959 as per
international standards. However, two rounds of insecticides were given during
1958 to 1960.
(c)
The
Maintenance Phase.—The National Malaria Eradication Programme
unit entered in the consolidation phase in 1962 for detection of cases through
all channels in an intensified manner. All the areas, both urban and rural were
covered under this programme and all medical institutions dealing with the
curative side were coorindated with the programme. In 1964, it entered into the
Maintenance Phase under which surveillance operations were started and the
takes of vigilance operation was handed over general health services. During
1969 to 1972, two rounds of D D T sprays were given, every year, in affected
and belt areas. From 1972 to 1976, total cover of insecticidal spraywas given partially with B H C and D D
T Two rounds of D D T and one round B.H.C. spray under N.M.E.P. were given in
1977. From 1985 to 1989, two to three rounds of B H C spray every year were
made and one round in 1983 and 3 rounds in 1984 of malathion were also given in
the district.
Besides,
from 1985 to 1989 every year 3.65 lakhs to 4.89 lakhs blood slides were
collected and examined. From these most of the cases were found positive and
radical treatment was given to them. During 1989, 3,59,936 blood slides were
collected and 6,432 cases were found positive. Out of these 6,367 were given
radical treatment.
The
Malaria Unit at Patiala is manned by 1 Assistant Malaria Officers, 1 District
Epidemiologist, 90 Senior Malaria Inspectors, 27 Health Inspectors, 1 Health
Supervisor, besides other Class III technical/ministerial and Class IV
misscellaneous staff.
(iv)
Communicable
Diseases.—The communicable diseases are plague, cholera, smallpox etc.
Details of each of these with specific reference to the Patiala District are
given below :
Plague
Once
plague was a most horrible disease. But now, it is non-existent because no case
of this disease has been reported in the district. However, anti-plague
measures are adopted every year. Sanitary Inspectors and Swasth Sahaiks are deputed to destroy rats by cynogassing the rat
holes, baiting with zinc phosphide and by laying rat traps. In one or two
extensive D D T spray, rats and flies are also killed along with mosquitoes.
The other factor responsible for its disappearance is construction of pukka
houses, wherein because of cemented floors, rats cannot make holes for their
hiding. As a result of these measures, the district is free from this
infections disease.
Smallpox
One of
the most contagious and killer diseases, smallpox earlier used to occur in an
epidemic form. As a result of various preventive measure taken by the
Government, the disease has now been eradicated.
Cholera
It is
an epidemic caused by infected food, water and drinks. Symptoms of cholera are
profuse and painless diarrhoea and vomiting. No case of cholera has been
reported in the district during 1982 to 1989. Incidence of cholera has been low
due to various preventive measures taken by the medical authorities. These
comprise proper arrangements for the disposal of refuse and of human excreta,
protection of eatables and drinking water from pollution, anti-fly measures and
mass inoculation in hospital and dispensaries. Similar preventive measures are
taken on the eve of various fairs held in the district, so that the contagious
diseases is not imported from outside.
(v)
Tuberculosis.—India
has accepted “District Tuberculosis Control Programme” as a comprehensive
control programme for the whole country, especially for the rural areas. This
programme evisages integration of specialized T B Services at the periphery in
the rural areas.
There
is a T B and Chest Diseases Hospital at Patiala which was opened in 1953. It
has 131 beds (80 for males and 51 for females). The facilities provided in the
hospital include preventive treatment laboratory investigations, B C G
vaccination and curative treatment-allergy clinic and follow up clinic. X-ray
facilities are also available in the hospital. During 1988-89, the number of
indoor and outdoor patients treated in the hospitals was 2,226 and 28,798,
respectively. Besides, there is a 18 bedded (9 for males and 9 for females) T B
Clinic at Nabha. The medical facilities available in the clinic are X-ray,
laboratory investigations, curative and preventive treatment, etc.
(d) Medical
and Public Health Services
The
Civil Surgeon, Patiala is the head of medical department at the district level.
He exercises supervisory administrative control on all government medical
institutions within the district. 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 sanitation, disease prevention and health
promotion services in the district. He was also to advise the municipalities on
public health matters. Both the wings worked under the administrative control
of the Director, Health Services, Punjab, Chandigarh. In April 1964, the two
wings were merged and put under the Chief Medical Officer. In 1974, the post of
Chief Medical Officer was redesignated as Civil Surgeon.
The
Civil Surgeon, Patiala is assisted by 24 Medical Officers P C M S –I, 261
Medical Officers P C M S-II, 15 Dental Surgeons, 140 Staff Nurses, 246
Dispensers, 50 Dias, 16 X-Ray Staff Assistants, 30 Laboratory Assistants, 21
Assistants besides inisterial and other allied and miscellaneous Class IV
staff*.
*The
staff working at Rajendra Hospital, Mata Kaushalya Hospital and TB Hospital has
not been included in it.
On the
health sides, the Civil Surgeon is assisted by the staff of the Malaria Unit.
Besides the zila parishad and municipalities assist the Civil Surgeon in the
field of public health. In order to check adulteration of foodstuffs, the Civil
Surgeon has delegated power to the Medical Officers of hospitals/dispensaries,
who take samples of foodstuffs.
With
the separation of Ayurvedic Department from the Department of Health and Family
Welfare in 1979, Ayurvedic and Unani institutions have been placed under the
District Ayurvedic and Unani Officer at the district level, who is under the
administrative control of the Director of Ayurveda, Punjab, Chandigarh. On 1
April 1989, the District Ayurvdic and Unani Officer, Patiala was assisted by 50
Vaids, 1 Hakim, 50 Up-Vaids, besides allied staff.