PUNE: A public awareness program and free medical camp was organized in Pune region for the fourth consecutive year.

1. A press conference was called on 07 October 2004 to announce the BJD activity week. The press was updated on the activities/ plans of BJD- India - past, present & future. Dr. Arvind Chopra, Director & Consultant Rheumatologist, Center for Rheumatic Diseases (CRD) & National Secretary, BJD-INDIA: NAN, gave a brief presentation on BJD India, its aim and goals pertaining to quality of life. Dr. A Chopra specially mentioned the WHO technical report series and pointed out the need of community support for data collection. Mr. P C Nahar, Chairman, Mission Arthritis India (MAI), a patient support group, spoke about role of MAI in spreading awareness amongst the masses. Dr. Kalindi Phadke, Co-Chairperson, MAI, gave details on the MAI health magazines and quarterly newsletters. Lastly, Dr. Tandale, Senior Physician, Bhigwan stressed the need of educating people on the difference between orthopedic surgeons and rheumatologists and the key role played by the rheumatologist in treating arthritis patients. By giving examples he explained the necessity of convincing patients to listen to their doctors and adhere to the advices given by them.
   This Press meeting helped BJD-India to receive wide press coverage during the ensuing period.
   
2. A Public awareness function was organized by Mission Arthritis India (MAI), a patient support group, and Center for Rheumatic Diseases (CRD), Pune, at Nehru Memorial Hall, Camp, Pune, on 12 October 2004. This program was attended by over 550 people. Dr. Kalindi Phadke, Co – Chairperson, MAI, spoke on the role of MAI in spreading the message to fight arthritis. She passed on important tips to the arthritis patients on keeping fit. Padmabushan Dr. K H Sancheti, Senior Orthopedic Surgeon, Pune, was the distinguished guest for the evening. He inaugurated the annual MAI health magazine and appreciated the role of MAI and BJD in educating public. He hoped that BJD and MAI activities will spread all over India to fight the arthritis menace.
   Dr. A Chopra, Senior Rheumatologist, Pune, spoke on ‘Medicines, the Modern PRASAAD’ and stressed the need of taking proper medications at the right time in consultation with the right doctor. According to Dr. Chopra, every medicine has a side effect but this has to be kept to a minimum by proper monitoring of therapy and other health care precautions. The mechanism of action of modern drug that produce “good effect” are the ones that can produce “bad effect” if in excess. Dr. Chopra also introduced role of “biologic agents” in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory arthritis which are considered to be a major breakthrough and can produce an effect as close to cure as possible.
   Dr. Alka Pawar, Professor of Psychiatry, B J Medical College, Pune, gave a talk on the importance of mind in various forms of arthritis and encouraged the patients to reduce mental stress that plays havoc with their quality of life and joints. She stressed the need for a healthy positive family environment.
   Dr. Vaijayanti Lagu, Rheumatologist, Pune, spoke on Soft Tissue Rheumatism, the commonest form of ailment in the community. Many occupations including house work can cause these soft tissue pains especially in neck and back. It is important to recognize this as it is preventable and curable.
   A beautiful painting, depicting a mother with a child, on the central theme of MAI, was painted by Mr. Girish Charwad, a well known artist from Pune, along with the rendering of the classical music by Shri. Anand Godse, Ms. Sarita (MAI Secretary) and troupe. Mr. Waikar and group from Parbhani (patients of arthritis) sang national & devotional songs.
   Two courageous patients suffering from severe crippling arthritis were felicitated for their determination to fight arthritis against all odds. Mrs. Yogita Malve, a young lady from Shrirampur, has been suffering from arthritis since childhood. Although having severe deformities she is leading a happy life with her husband and a healthy baby of two years because of regular specialised treatment, excellent family support and useful health education. Mrs. Vasanti Thopte, a middle aged lady with crippling deformities and limp, works in telephone exchange as any other normal person and has been on therapy since several years. Mrs. Thopte had to overcome severe depression because of rejection by family and progressive arthritis in her earlier years but was determined to lead a life of pride and success.
   Mrs. Sharayu Bhat, Secretary, MAI, proposed a vote of thanks. Dr. Jayashree Patil & Dr. Vinaya Kunjeer, Research Assistants, CRD, Pune, did the compering. The Bombay Sappers Military Pipe band entertained public with national songs of bravery & determination and concluded the show with the national anthem.
   
3. A meeting on ‘Osteoarthritis’ was organized for general practitioners in Pune. 30 doctors attended the lecture given by Dr. A Chopra, Consulting Rheumatologist, Pune.
   
4. A medical camp was held in village Bhigwan (Pune District), on 16 October 2004, where above 200 patients were provided free check-up by Dr. A Chopra, Consulting Rheumatologist. A temporary lab was set up in the premises of the Gram panchayat office by the CRD lab team. The required lab investigations were done free of cost. Dr. Nidhi Jain, Physiotherapist, demonstrated various exercises to the rural community for prevention of soft tissue pains. BJD banners and health slogans in English and Marathi (regional language) were put up near the vicinity of the camp.
   The same evening a meeting of local medical practitioners was organized where Dr. A Chopra spoke on recent BJD-INDIA activities. This meeting was attended by over 20 doctors from villages in and around Bhigwan.
   The Pune region programs were arranged by Dr. Arvind Chopra and his team from CRD and MAI. These programs were sponsored by pharmaceutical companies and various other well wishers - Unichem Laboratories Ltd., Aventis Pharma Ltd., Bank of India, Mumbai Branch, Bergen Healthcare, Cipla, Elder Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Eli Lily & Co, Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Fulford, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd., IPCA Laboratories Ltd., Novartis India Ltd, OM Medical, Pfizer Ltd., Rajan Drug House, Sandoz Private Ltd., Triokka, Wyeth Ltd., Zydus Cadila Health Care Ltd., Ortholink Marketing, MERCK, EMKE Medicals, Shobha Investments, Apurvi Ladies Shopee, MD, Medicure, Hiralal Mehta & Co., Ezzy Medicals, Orthofit Health & Fitness Management, EISEN Pharmaceutical CO. (Pvt.) Ltd., Ranbaxy Croslands, Ortus – Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Sanofi, Unisearch, Serum Institute of India Ltd., and Wallace Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd.

Mumbai:

1. Backache symposium was held on the 12 October 2004 in JML Theater. It was chaired by Dr. Sameer Rajadhyksha, Consultant Rheumatologist, Raheja Hospital & Dr. Niharika Gill, Consultant Rheumatologist, Somaiya Hospital. Dr. C. Balkrishnan, Consultant Rheumatologist, P.D.Hinduja Hospital had the introductory lecture & gave an approach to a patient with backache. Dr. Shashank Akerkar, Research Fellow, KEM Hospital, followed with the therapeutic options in spondyloarthropathies. Apart from talking on the recent biological response modifiers he also stressed the need for looking at combination DMARDs in spondyloarthropathies for resource limited population. Dr. Yojana Gokhale spoke about Brucella spondylitis in Indian setup. She stressed the importance of this commonly missed condition. The lectures were followed by case discussions by Dr. L. S. Bichile; Prof & Chief Rheumatology, Archana Sonawale; Lecturer, Dr. Ravikiran Sonwane, Registrar Division of Rheumatology, Dept of Medicine, KEM Hospital. Dr. Anjali Rajadhyaksha; Asso. Prof Dept of Medicine gave the vote of Thanks. The session was well attended by 75 delegates from the Dept of Medicine, Orthopedics, Occupational & Physiotherapy.
   
2. Arthritis Quiz was held on 20th October 2004 (World Osteoporosis Day) in JML Theater. It was chaired by Dr.Sameer Rajadhyksha, Consultant Rheumatologist, Raheja Hospital & Dr. Niharika Gill, Consultant Rheumatologist, Somaiya Hospital. Three teams (Post graduate Medicine students) from the Municipal Medical Colleges in Mumbai participated in the Quiz. The Quiz was held in 5 rounds with clinical & radiological spots & cases. A separate round had questions for the audience as well.
   These programs were arranged by Prof. Lata Bichile, Head of Medicine Dept., KEM Hospital, Mumbai and her team. Prof. L Bichile is also the Liaison Officer of BJD-INDIA: NAN for Maharashtra.
   

Jalna: A free Bone Densitometry check-up camp was organized at Goyal Hospital, Jalna on 20 October 2004. The camp was inaugurated by Medical Superintendent Dr. C D Mosses, Jalna Mission Hospital. Dr. Dilip Patwardhan, Orthopedic Surgeon, Aurangabad, and Dr. S H Saboo were the Chief Guests for the program. Dr. Satish Goyal, Orthopedic Surgeon, delivered a lecture in Marathi (Regional language) for the patients on causes of Osteoporosis and its prevention. He answered various queries raised by the audience. 320 patients were examined for Bone Densitometry. All were given suitable guidance on medicine and diet.
The Jalna program was arranged by Dr. Satish Goyal. The program was sponsored by Dhanvantari Charitable Trust.

Jammu: A CME and Awareness lecture on Arthritis and Osteoporosis was held on the eve of World Arthritis Day and World Osteoporosis Day. The programs were organized by Dr. Annil Mahajan, Rheumatologist, Jammu and Dr. Sudha Sharma, Gynaecologist, Jammu.