Dr Amiya Mukherjee being felicitated by the Rotary Club of Bidhannagar on July 1 at Rabindra Okakura Bhavan as (from left) Dr P.B. Sarkar, Dr Samir Gupta, Dr N.N. Sarangi and Dr Manoj Saha look on

India could soon have the second highest number of Alzheimer’s disease patients in the world. “A decade ago, this problem existed mainly in the US. The disease is on the rise in India because of our increasing lifespan. Earlier few people survived beyond 60 so there were hardly any cases of dementia,” neurologist Dr N.N. Sarangi said.

The former head of neurology at Bangur Institute of Neurology who stays in BG Block was one of the five eminent doctors felicitated by the Rotary Club of Bidhannagar on the birth anniversary of Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy on July 1 at Rabindra Okakura Bhavan.

“People in our country have this misconception that people tend to forget things just because they are old. Dementia happens when a person struggles with the traits that make him an individual, like the ability to remember, interact and judge things,” Dr Sarangi said.

He concluded by stressing on the need for sons and daughters to look after their parents. “Children, most of whom now live away from their parents in different cities, should realise their responsibilities towards their parents. Day care centres should be made available for old people but family care is really important,” he said.

Cardiologist Dr Manoj Saha stressed on the need for doctors to change their approach towards patients. “We need to take medical economics into consideration. Health expenditure is increasing by the day. Many a time doctors are scared to tell the patient’s family the exact condition of the patient and that it is useless trying to save him/her. He should also not be scared of referring the patient to another doctor,” he said.

Dr Saha stressed on the need for patients to trust doctors more. “No doctor wants the condition of his patient to deteriorate. One needs to believe in the advice the doctor is giving,” he concluded.

Eye specialist Dr P.B Sarkar, a resident of Purbachal housing complex, spoke to the audience about developments in ophthalmology.

“Today a patient goes home the same day as he is operated on and rejoins office the day after. There was a time when we conducted operations with a cloth tied over our mouth, no gloves and medical instruments being sterilised in a pot of boiling water. Developments in surgical procedure have led to safer treatment,” he said.

Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Samir Gupta of BG Block spoke of the need for determination to reach one’s goal while gynaecologist Dr Amiya Kumar Mukherjee of CD Block discussed the need for doctors to have sympathy towards their patients.

The felicitation was followed by a cultural programme. “We celebrate Doctors’ Day every year but this year we decided to felicitate doctors in recognition of their contribution to society,” said Santanu Kar, president of the club.