WHO WARNS OF ENORMOUS BURDEN OF CHRONIC DISEASE

Chronic illnesses like cancer, heart disease and diabetes cause more deaths than all other diseases combined, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday. In a global report on so-called non-communicable diseases, or NCDs, the United Nations health body said such diseases had reached epidemic proportions and now pose a greater threat than infectious diseases like malaria, HIV and tuberculosis (TB). "The NCD epidemic exacts an enormous toll in terms of human suffering and inflicts serious damage to human development in both the social and economic realms," the report said. "This state of affairs cannot continue. There is a pressing need to intervene. Unless serious action is taken, the burden of NCDs will reach levels that are beyond the capacity of all stakeholders to manage." NCDs, which include heart disease, cancer, diabetes and respiratory conditions, accounted for 36 million, or 63 percent, of the 57 million deaths worldwide in 2008. Yet that burden could be significantly reduced, with millions of lives saved and much suffering avoided, if people did more to avoid major risk factors like smoking, drinking and being overweight, the WHO said. It found that almost 6 million people die from tobacco use every year -- both directly from smoking, and indirectly from second-hand smoke. By 2020, this number will increase to 7.5 million, accounting for 10 percent of all deaths worldwide. Another 3.2 million people each year due to a lack of physical activity, at least 2.8 million people die a year as a result of being overweight or obese, and 2.5 million people are killed as a result of drinking harmful levels of alcohol. A special meeting of the United Nations General Assembly is scheduled for September in New York to talk about the rising threat of NCDs, and the WHO's global status report sought to set out ways to map the epidemic, reduce its major risk factors and improve healthcare for those who already suffer from NCDs. It said the epidemic had already ballooned beyond the current capacity of poorer countries to cope, which is why death and disability are rising disproportionately in these countries. "As the impact of NCDs increases and as populations age, annual NCD deaths are projected to continue to rise worldwide, and the greatest increase is expected to be seen in low- and middle-income regions," it added. In many developing countries where the health focus is often on infectious diseases, chronic illnesses are often detected late, when patients need extensive and expensive hospital care. Most of this care is unaffordable or unavailable, or is covered with out-of-pocket payments which can drive patients and their families into poverty, further risking their health. Nearly 80 percent of NCD deaths occur in low-and middle-income countries and are the most frequent causes of death in most countries, except in Africa, the WHO said. But even in Africa, NCDs are rising rapidly and are expected to exceed other diseases as the most common killers by 2020 The WHO said three priorities for action were surveillance -- to monitor chronic diseases, prevention -- to let people know the about risks and help them adapt lifestyles, and healthcare -- to improve treatment and access for those who are sick. It listed its top 10 "best buys", including banning smoking in public places, enforcing tobacco advertising bans, restricting access to alcohol and cutting salt in food, and said these steps should be taken now to produce "results in terms of lives saved, diseases prevented and heavy costs avoided".

IAS AND PCS GETS ADDITIONAL CHARGE

The Punjab Government today gave additional charge to one IAS and One PCS officer with immediate effect.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab Government said that Mr. Gurkirat Singh IAS Director Social Security, Development of Women and Children and in addition Special Secretary, Social Security, Development of Women and Children Punjab would also look after the charge of Special Secretary, Planning. Likewise Smt. Hargunjit Kaur PCS Land Acquisition Collector GMADA Mohali would also look after the charge of OSD to Deputy Chief Minister Punjab.

SERVICES OF EVS TO BE PLACED UNDER SSA

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today announced to place the services of Education Volunteers (EVs) viz.Sikhya Karmis at the disposal of State Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Authority and now they would be under the direct control and supervision of SSA instead of village education development committees.

            A decision to this effect was taken by Mr. Badal in a meeting with the deputation of Education Volunteers led by its President Mr. Ajmer Singh Aulakh in the presence of Education Minister Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan here at Punjab Bhawan this morning. Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister's Office said that as many as 7407 EVs would be benefitted with this decision which included 3243 EVs with academic qualification of B.A., 20 B.A.ETT, 1663 B.A.B.Ed and 2481 M.A.B.Ed.  

            The Chief Minister also announced to hike the salary of EVs by Rs.2000 per month raising it now to Rs.6500, Rs.7250 and Rs.8000 for B.A., B.A.B.Ed and M.A.M.Ed from the existing Rs.4500, Rs.5250 and Rs.6000 per month respectively. Besides, the state government would also bear the tuition fee and training charges of B.Ed for eligible EVs with B.A. to facilitate them to complete B.Ed as an essential qualification under the said scheme of SSA.   It was also decided in the meeting to allow the EVs to improve their academic qualification of B.A. or 10+2 to become eligible for the B.Ed and ETT course respectively.

            Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Media Advisor to Chief Minister Mr. Harcharan Bains Principal Secretary School Education Mr. C.Roul, Director General School Education Mr. B. Purushartha, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar, OSD to Chief Minister Mr. NS Sangha and OSD to Education Minister Mr. Darbara Singh Kahlon.  

Dupatta - Sudesh Kumari & Meet Malkit (Prod DJ Rags)

Punjabi Soorme – Prithvi Jassal & Maninder Shinda

Latest Hair Styles 2011

2011 hairstyles tend to be hotter than ever, along with trends including both short and sexy haircuts curls.Bangs to time tend to be one of the best hairstyles in 2011 to be the next rock and roll well.These year were among the additions must be present for almost all haircuts last year and this year seems to be an exception.Some of the popular 2011 hairstyles were short hair styles, but the one that was most likely the favorite was the bob. The bob is so versatile, and much can be done with it to alter its look.

Medium Length Hair Styles 2011

Medium wavy hairstyles look great for any occasion. Because nowadays all hair lengths are popular we have put together some tips to help you create different wavy hairstyles to suit your style and to make you look amazing: There are different types of 2011 medium hairstyles