Talk: Stress-free Living

On January 22, consultant neuropsychiatrist Dr Nikhil Patel inaugurated and participated in a programme on Stress-free Living at the Aiyappa Shiva Temple in Kochi.

Lectures by Neuropsychiatrist

Consultant neuropsychiatrist Dr Nikhil Patel was invited to deliver lectures to more than 100 trainees attending at a course at the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)'s Internal Security Academy (ISA) at Mount Abu. Dr Patel addressed the trainees on Counselling and Self Development and Counselling, Mentoring & Facilitation on May 26 and July 10 respectively.

Talk: The Therapeutic Labyrinth Garden

Revd Lizzie Hopthrow, the chaplain of the Pilgrims Hospice in Canterbury, UK, presented details of an interesting project called "The Therapeutic Labyrinth Garden" to staff during a picnic arranged at Peace Park on January 26, 2010.

The premise behind the Therapeutic Labyrinth Garden is that a labyrinth, a single path that winds to a central point and out again - unlike a maze, which has dead-ends and false starts and so can induce anxiety because it is difficult to find your way - frequently induces spiritual or emotional calm and can even help in decision-making. For these reasons, a labyrinth is counted as a timeless mystical and spiritual tool that is poignantly relevant to people approaching death and their loved ones coping with bereavement. Based on the ancient ideas of pattern and spiral, the winding nature of a labyrinth draws us into not only the centre of the labyrinth itself but also into the centre of our selves. There we may face our deepest fears, hopes or longings and there is the place of inner healing or enlightenment. When a labyrinth is walked, the analytical left hand side of the brain gives way to the more intuitive right hand side and we are led by the path away from stressful thoughts into stillness. The labyrinth thus leads us into the spiritual part of our being and gives us the potential for inner transformation. As we walk towards the centre we may become released from stresses and strains, hurts or concerns that cause us tension or emotional or spiritual pain. We let go of anxious thoughts or situations and may enter into prayer At the centre we pause to receive a blessing, peace of heart, a moment of relief or enlightenment, a deep sense of calm, a creative idea or a resolution. On the way out again we return to the world taking with us our experience of the labyrinth.

Amazing! Doesn't that make you want to walk a labyrinth right now? Revd Hopthrow has used this method with patients of the Pilgrims Hospice.

Talk: Palliative Care

Revd Lizzie Hopthrow, the chaplain of the Pilgrims Hospice in Canterbury, UK, shared methods to offer palliative care and spiritual support to terminally ill patients. About 50 staff nurses and student nurses attended this talk on January 27.

Health Awareness Drive for Drivers

On January 8, in association with the Lions Club of Mount Abu and the local traffic police, Global Hospital arranged a health check-up cum awareness drive for drivers of jeeps, the local mode of transportation for tourists to the hill station. The drivers underwent blood pressure and diabetes checks. Consultant neuropsychiatrist Dr Nikhil Patel also addressed the drivers on the need and means to stay stress-free by managing anger and avoiding the temptations of drug abuse. Sister Shivali, senior assistant - purchase & claims, shared information on medical insurance policies.

Celebrating World Diabetes Day

Global Hospital (Mount Abu) celebrated World Diabetes Day on November 17. Director Dr Partap Midha kickstarted the programme with a welcome to the audience and chief guest Satpal Kapoor, DIGP, Internal Security Academy, CRPF.

Subsequently, the event was marked by a number of brief useful lectures on a host of topics of interest to persons suffering from diabetes. Consultant ophthalmologist Dr Sudhir Singh spoke about eye problems afflicting diabetics, physician Dr Anshul Wadhwa talked about heart problems in diabetes and dietician Mukti Wadhwa elucidated the role of diet in managing diabetes. Consultant neuropsychiatrist Dr Nikhil Patel explained behavioural therapy for diabetics, senior dental surgeon Dr Niranjan spoke about dental problems in diabetes, pathologist Dr Divyesh Goswami delivered a talk on laboratory tests used to monitor diabetes and Dr Sanjay Varma described foot problems afflicting diabetics.

Then, diabetologist and anaesthetist Dr Shrimant Sahu presented the services of the Diabetes Clinic after which his assistant Sr Savita closed the proceedings with a vote of thanks.

All the participants were offered a free check-up for diabetes.

International Senior Citizens Day Celebrations

Global Hospital and the Rotary Club of Mount Abu celebrated the International Senior Citizens Day at Global Hospital, Mount Abu on October 1. About 90 senior citizens took benefit from talks delivered by dietician Mukti Wadhwa (Nutrition for active ageing), clinical head, P C Parmar Global Hospital Eye Care Centre, Dr V K Sharma (Eye diseases in elderly), anaesthetist and diabetologist Dr Shrimant Sahu (Exercise for senior citizens) and by medical officer - incharge, G V Modi Rural Health Care Centre & Eye Hospital, Dr Mahesh Hemadri (Ageing gracefully).

Dr Partap Midha, director, Global Hospital, felicitated six senior citizens from Mount Abu on this occasion, including the chief guest, Dada Chandrahas ji of the Brahma Kumaris, and the distinguished guest Dr Gyan Prakash, former director, Health & Family Welfare, Government of Rajasthan.

All the senior citizens participating in the programme were given coupons to under a free general health-check at Global Hospital during the month of October 2009.

Talk on Catching liars!

Balraj Nandwani, director, The Skills Academy, New Delhi visited Global Hospital, Mount Abu where he delivered a talk titled Catch liars! Spot when people lie to you and uncover the truth. The talk was well attended by hospital staff from our Mount Abu and Abu Road units.