Project ‘Shatayushi’ to help Nagpur police overcome health issues
   Date :16-Jan-2020

Project Shatayushi to hel
 
Principal Correspondent :
 
Increasing workload, changes in crime pattern, city’s expansion making police run hither-tither
 
In last four months Nagpur lost 15 policemen of ill-health. This has compelled top cop of city Dr Bhushan Kumar Upadhyay to take some concrete step. He has decided to implement concept ‘prevention is better cure’ and started programme ‘Shatayushi’. Under this programme, health check-up of every policeman is being conducted. Dr Upadhyay himself will monitor the report and will try to allot the work as per the health condition of that particular cop.
 
In several health camps conducted by various hospitals, it has been found, the per centage of police suffering from hypertension, heart failure, diabetes is very high. The reason behind these ailments is lot of stress, irregular lifestyle, not having healthy diet. Dr Bhushan Kumar Upadhyay elaborated, “Over the period of years, the health of policemen was ignored which is not good. They have to several things apart from catching the thief. As per new directives they can not get angry and have to behave with the people in a polite manner. Body, soul and mind work hand in hand. If your physical health is not good then you can’t be well mentally. Considering all these factors I have decided to start this health check up programme. It will now continue.”
 
The data of every policeman is prepared along with his or her health report. The cop will get one unique identity number so that wherever he or she goes, data can become accessible. So, if the police is transfered elsewhere, the doctor of that place can know what kind of problems this policeman or policewoman has, accordingly treatment become convenient. Dr Mukund Deshpande, Head, Department of Cardiology, Super Speciality Hospital told ‘The Hitavada’, “Usually cops face the problems of blood pressure due to rising stress. Their basic tests like Blood Pressure, some blood tests, lipid profile, TMT should be conducted.
 
The problem lies in their lifestyle. Unfortunately that can’t be changed. But that can be compensated. For example, a policeman does a night duty say on Monday, then department should give him off the next day. This will help him or her to rejuvenate. They can’t have normal life like others but they should be able to set their biological cycle, because youngsters can sustain the lifestyle. But once anybody crosses the age of 40, it becomes difficult to sustain.”
 
Apart from physical unwellness, police suffer from so much mental stress. How should they overcome it? Dr Nikhil Pande, a well-known Psychiatrist explained, “Emotional intelligence is a big issue. Stress should not enter into the emotions and should not be carried after the duty for longer time. If he remains under stress for longer time, then it becomes difficult for him to overcome it. Everybody has to face stress for timebeing. Whatever best one can do should be seen. It doesn’t mean one should live shameless life, but stress should not be taken to the heart.” Dr Pande put a valid point. He was told by some policemen regular physical activity of policemen is not conducted nowadays. Regular physical activity makes all difference. It is not only good for physical health but for mental health also, added Dr Pande.Dr Pande expressed concern over the rising trend of addiction of alcohol, gutkha, smoking in police force. According to Dr Pande, seniors should monitor such addictions and advice their juniors providing better options like physical exercise, yoga, pranayam.
 
‘Traffic police may become victim of Varicose veins’ Dr Atul Rewatkar, Interventional Radiologist at Pulse Clinic and Hospital, informed this Correspondent, “Veins, the impure blood carrying vessels are also the important part of the vascular system of the body. One of the major disease related to these veins is Varicose Veins. The prevalence of this disease is ever increasing and almost 1 in 5 persons is suffering from it. The dilated bulged out tortuous venous channels along the surface of the skin of lower limbs are called as varicose veins. Traffic cops who have to stand for long hours can suffer from it.
 
With varicose veins have bulging, purplish veins near the surface of the skin, heaviness or aching discomfort of legs when standing, relief with elevation, leg swelling, blackening near ankle, Varicose ulcer. According to Dr Rajesh Mundhada, another Interventional Radiologist, the procedure to correct the problem is available in Nagpur. But in the first instance, cops need to take care of their legs by having constant movement and not standing for long time, added Dr Mundhada.