CHENNAI: The Institute of Neurology at Madras Medical College has released an educational CD-ROM to reduce the time taken to examine a patient. Called Mathemagical Clinical Neurology, the CD comes with a handbook on tips to diagnose diseases based on symptoms.

Releasing the CD and the handbook, Health Minister N. Thalavai Sundaram urged Health Secretary Sheela Rani Chunkath and Director of Medical Education P. Vijayalakshmi, present at the function, to ensure that neurologists were posted to government hospitals at Theni, Vellore and Kanyakumari.

"Twenty years ago when my grandmother fell ill, I called on a friend [from another town] to treat her. In 20 years nothing has changed. Last week a patient in Theni Hospital needed treatment and we had to wait for a doctor from Madurai. Even in Tirunelveli we request doctors from Madurai to come and visit our patients," Mr. Sundaram said, who added that in his opinion, doctors in government hospitals served the public better that those in private sector.

More than 2,000 vacancies were filled up but the Tamil Nadu Medical Service Commission had rejected applications by doctors who had not filled in the column about their experience in rural areas, Mr. Sundaram said.

Dr. Vijayalakshmi said the 55-year-old institute treated neurological complications induced by trauma, accidents and diseases. She said the CD would help doctors diagnose stress related disorders that plagued the IT sector employees.

Mrs. Chunkath urged the post-graduate students to "have publications so that our work is recognised internationally." She appealed to professors to enthuse their students to participate in academic pursuits.

K. Jagannathan, former head of the institute, hailed the CD as a pioneering concept, pointing out that neurological evaluation of a patient takes at least 45-60 minutes. The CD would reduce the time taken to examine a patient. A team of neurologists serving in government hospitals, under the leadership of A.V. Srinivasan, has designed the CD.

Others who felicitated the institute on its novel venture included D.D. Jayakumar, Director of Medicine, and Kamakshi Shanbhogue, head of the institute.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail