Punjab needs advanced diagnostic technology to counter cancer: US expert

AMRITSAR : Expressing concern over the growing danger of deadly diseases, including cancer, in Punjab, Dr Ravinderjit Singh, a United States-based expert of bio-chemistry, stated here on Monday that the state needs advanced diagnostic technology to counter cancer and other diseases.

Dr Singh is an alumnus of Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) and is, at present, working as a consultant in the Division of Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, US.

He had come to the holy city to deliver a lecture on ‘Synthesis and Function of Cortisol-Demonstration that God is great Chemist’ during a seminar organised by the department of chemistry, GNDU.

‘BIG THREAT TO THE HEALTH OF PUNJABIS’

“Cancer is a big threat to the health of Punjabis due to various factors. All know it is curable only if it is diagnosed at an early stage. However, the state does not have an advanced technology to diagnose it at an early stage. In such a situation, it is not easy to treat the disease. There are good laboratories here, but these are very few,” he said while speaking to Hindustan Times on the sidelines of the seminar.

Dwelling on liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) technology, he said this is a new technology to diagnose deadly diseases.

He said, “Besides cancer, blood pressure and diabetes afflicting Indians to a great extent also need better diagnostic technology.”

‘WILL HELP IN INTRODUCING BETTER TECH IN PUNJAB’

He said he has been in contact with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences for introduction of this technology and will make efforts to help in introducing better diagnostic technology in Punjab as well. “We need to sensitise the Punjabis about their health, which is facing serious challenges,” he added.

Shedding light on the effect of steroids on body, he made students aware of the technologies invented at the world level.

Dr Gita Hundar, head of the chemistry department, and Dr Jatinder Singh also addressed the seminar. Besides students of science departments, Dr Subodh Kumar, Dr Sukhpreet Singh, Dr Tarlok Singh and other faculty members were present on the occasion.

Besides cancer, blood pressure and diabetes, afflicting Indians to a great extent, also need better diagnostic technology. We need to sensitise the Punjabis about their health.

DR RAVINDERJIT SINGH , US-based expert of bio-chemistry