DR ASHOK GUPTA, DIRECTOR, ENT DEPARTMENT, SAID THE CAMP HAD BEEN ORGANISED AS PART OF THE DEAFNESS-FREE HARYANA CAMPAIGN - 

Aman Sadhu/Panchkula

More than 200 people got themselves examined at a free screening camp for ENT (ear, nose, and throat) and Head & Neck Cancers organised by Fortis Hospital Mohali in association with Jagrit Brahman Sabha at Bhagwan Parshuram Bhawan, Sector 12 A, here on Saturday. The aim of holding the camp was to spread awareness on ENT disorders and sensitise the public on Head and Neck Cancers which primarily include oral cancer-tongue, oropharynx larynx sinonasal ear thyroid cancers.

The camp was inaugurated by renowned industrialist Vipin Garg in the presence of XAshok Gupta and other doctors from the ENT Department, Fortis Mohali. All patients not included as risk groups (tobacco chewers and smokers), who usually don’t seek medical opinion, were screened at the camp.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Gupta, said, the overall incidence of head and neck cancers had risen three-fold in the last about two years. “This is the third most common form of cancer and by 2040, about 2.1 million patients will be affected,” he added.

Dr Gupta further said, “The camp lays emphasis on early disease detection, diagnosis and early treatment. This will go a long way in sustaining healthy life. Evaluation of all patients at the camp was conducted as per the WHO guidelines. Several of them who had been detected with tumours revealed better five-year survival and good quality of life care. It’s a community initiative and a social responsibility as good citizens to promote cancer awareness and good ENT health.”

Briefing the gathering, Dr Ashok Gupta, also said, “The free ENT Camp has been organised for the benefit of the masses. It is important to educate them on ENT problems and the most advanced Robot-aided surgery technique which is being done at Fortis Hospital Mohali for the treatment of ENT-related problems. Robot-assisted surgery is considered as the gold standard treatment in complicated infections of the ear, strep throat, sinusitis, and sleep apnea. I have also conducted more than 1,000 cochlear implant surgeries till date which help address deafness-free campaign in Haryana.”

Echoing a similar view, Dr Anuragini Gupta, said, “Such awareness sessions and health camps are important as it gives an opportunity to the general public to get their ENT problems addressed. Robot-aided Surgery is the latest form of minimal invasive surgery and provides a 3D view of the operative field via a special camera inserted into the body of the patient. Parts of the body which are difficult to reach with the human hand can be accessed through robot-assisted arms that can rotate 360 degrees and provide a wide range of movements.”

Dr Ashok Gupta during a press conference organised later discussed about a 28-year-old patient who had presented to Fortis Hospital Mohali with breathing problems and extreme lethargy. Medical investigations revealed that the Patient was suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OBS) – a sleep disorder in which breathing stops involuntarily for brief periods of time during sleep and starts again.

The team of doctors led by Dr Gupta and including Dr Anuragini Gupta, and Dr Neha Sharma conducted Transoral robot-assisted Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UVPP) – a surgery to open the upper airways by taking out extra tissue in the throat. Dr Gupta reconstructed the Patient’s airway wherein the windpipe was widened to make breathing easier.

Discussing the cases, Dr Ashok Gupta, said, “Cochlear Implantation is a boon for people who have hearing difficulty as the implant improves hearing. Further, sleep apnea can increase the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. Robot-aided Surgery is the latest form of minimal invasive surgery and provides relief to patients.”