IVF should be last resort
More than a year after it introduced its first In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment, at its super-specialty block, the Goa Medical College and Hospital at Bambolim has reportedly tasted its first success on Tuesday and celebrated the birth of a baby girl by a caesarean section procedure.
It is learnt that Goa is among the few states in India that offer free IVF treatment for couples. Private hospitals have been providing the facility for a long time.
However, the entire treatment can cost up to Rs 3 lakh per cycle in the private healthcare sector. Some estimates peg infertility among couples in Goa at approximately 20 percent. If most of these couples, particularly those from economically challenged strata of society, opt for IVF procedure at the GMC Hospital, the Hospital will have to bear a huge cost.
For conditions like unexplained infertility, other methods are usually the first line of treatment and IVF is considered by many to be the last resort.
This includes fertility medications which improves the chances of pregnancy. Some lifestyle changes can also increase the probability of having a child. These include getting regular exercise, drinking less alcohol, giving up smoking and improving nutrition.
IVF has some disadvantages. The risk of having more than one baby increases if more than one embryo is transferred. IVF may slightly increase the risk of birth defects, such as heart issues or digestive problems. It may increase the risk of premature delivery. Babies may be born with low birth weight.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Suleimann Siddique escape scandal
The dramatic escape of notorious fraudster Suleimann Siddique Khan from police custody reminds of serial killer Charles Sobhraj. In a way, his escape has only put the clock back - returning Sobhraj to his familiar world. The incident has sent shock waves across Goa’s civil society.
While the escape exposes the rotten core of police security and infrastructure. Most of us watch jailbreak scenes in movies in awe where the hero or villain tricks the guards and escapes. Section 167 of the Code of Criminal Procedure lists the provisions for holding a person in custody.
The objective of police custody is to keep the suspect/accused under the supervision of police in order to prevent them from committing further crimes or escaping or tampering with evidence while the investigation is under progress.
This is a serious case and negligence by the police. Who is accountable and what action would be taken in this matter. Will government streamline the police force in Goa?
K G Vilop, Chorao
Zakir Hussain’s legacy
The passing away of 73-year- old Ustad Zakir Hussain, the globally revered tabla virtuoso on December 16 at a hospital in San Francisco, is an irreparable loss to the field of world music. Known for his amazing finger-work and rhythmic brilliance, he brought the tabla to a global stage, collaborating with some of the world’s finest musicians.
His gargantuan contribution to music was recognized with Padma Shri awards and the Sangeet Natak Akademi award.
On the global stage, he was a four-time Grammy award winner. His unparalleled skills earned him the reputation of a “fearsome technician” and a “whimsical inventor".
Beyond his musical prowess, his life was a testament to the power of dedication, passion, and cultural exchange. His influence extended beyond the concert stage, as he mentored countless young musicians and left an indelible mark on the world of music education.
His collaborations spanned various genres, from traditional Indian classical music to jazz, rock, and film scores, making him a true ambassador of global musical harmony. As fans, fellow musicians and admirers around the world mourn his loss, his legacy remains a lasting symbol of the power of music to transcend borders and unite people across cultures.
In his career spanning over six decades, he worked with several renowned international and Indian artistes, but it was his 1973 musical project with the English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L Shankar, and percussionist T H ‘Vikku’ Vinayakram that brought together Indian classical with elements of jazz in a fusion hitherto unknown.
He started playing the tabla at the age of 3 and started touring at the age of 11. His mentor was his father tabla maestro Ustad Allah Rakha.
Jubel D'Cruz, Mumbai