*28-JAN-2012* * * *Umesh Isalkar* *PUNE *: The horror of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation's bus driver Santosh Mane's act on Wednesday which snuffed out eight lives on the city's roads is beginning to sink in.
For one, it has highlighted the lack of attention to medical fitness of bus drivers. Doctors have suggested a yearly or two-yearly health check-up including neurological and psychiatric assessment as mandatory for professional drivers. Experts have also suggested that the state government should make it a norm for all doctors and hospitals to update information of a person who may pose a risk to public life because of his medical conditions. "There are some medical and especially neurological conditions incompatible with driving, or in which a person should not drive for his own safety and that of others. These conditions include epilepsy, stroke, recurrent syncope, psychiatric illness, sleep apnea syndrome (daytime sleepiness), alcoholism and usage of certain medicines," said neurologist Rajas Deshpande of Sancheti Hospital. Deshpande said, "In our country, there is no effective health or neurological screening before issuing a driving licence. It is scary to imagine that there maybe many drivers on the road who can lose control without them realizing it or being able to stop it." He specialises in treatment of neurological conditions including epilepsy and sees about 150 to 250 fresh cases of epilepsy every year. "Only after repeated questioning, do some patients disclose that they are drivers. Of the 150 patients of epilepsy I diagnose every year, three to four turn are drivers. Almost all others (except minors) drive some or other vehicle regularly. After explaining the risks, some comply, but most don't, and continue to ride or drive," Deshpande said. One can understand that a family may be dependent on driver, but it was not acceptable to risk many lives including that of the driver, who has the highest risk, he added. Besides, alcoholism is very common among drivers, and it can cause rum fits due to both excess and withdrawal. "That's the reason why neurological and psychiatric assessment must be made mandatory for all professional drivers. This should include EEG and MRI scan of brain. Such a comprehensive health check of professional drivers can be conducted yearly or in two years," Deshpande said. Neurologist Anand Alurkar said, "Patients with epilepsy or other neurological conditions working as a driver in private sector do get absorbed in other departments when they produce a medical certificate from a neurologist. I have seen such patients and given them certificates. This should also be a norm in government sector." "Stressful situations include lack of sleep, fever, low blood sugar levels, drug or alcohol consumption etc. Almost all medicines used for treatment in this condition cause drowsiness and sedation of different extent. Those with a family history of epilepsy are more likely to suffer from this illness," Alurkar said. Hence a person applying for driving licence must be screened for this disorder, as is compulsory for all pilots, say experts in the field. Experts have also hinted at making it mandatory for doctors and hospitals to inform of a patient who may pose a risk to public life because of his medical conditions. "The Regional Transport Office (RTO) must make it mandatory for hospitals, physicians and psychiatrists to update the name and details of medical condition of any patient who may be a risk to public life, and to ensure that adequate check-ups are done to treat and rehabilitate the patient," Deshpande said. However, senior psychiatrist Alka Pawar, head of Maharashtra Institute of Mental Health (MIMH), a state government unit that trains workforce in mental health thinks that a doctor can always inform the patients' office on his own if he is going be a threat to public life due to his or her medical conditions. "The doctor can always inform the authorities in the best interest of society," Pawar said. However, some doctors said that informing the authorities without taking the patient into confidence may pose a threat to their security and lead to unnecessary legal procedures. *Panel to review drivers' health* The Maharashtra State Road Transport Committee (MSRTC) has decided to form a technical committee to review the mental and physical health of its 37,000-odd drivers. At present, the MSRTC does not have a system of knowing the health status of drivers, except for the mandatory health check done when drivers join service and when they turn 40. MSRTC managing director Deepak Kapoor could not be contacted despite repeated attempts. However, senior depot manager Vijaykumar Divte confirmed that a committee would soon be formed to look into the health of drivers and conductors. "If some systemic change is brought in, it will be true homage to those we lost on Wednesday," said neuro-psychiatrist Sanjay Phadke. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-28/pune/30673402_1_drivers-epilepsy-eeg -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Mental Health Advocacy (News 'N Views) India" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/MhaNewsViewsIndia?hl=en ------------- Affiliated Groups : MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY INDIA [email protected] Discussions on mental health law / policy / plan monitoring / human rights etc [email protected] India-specific news and views related to mental health [email protected] Information and support to carers of people with mental health issues [email protected] Mutual support and sharing of experiential knowledge, skills and social learning amongst peers
