The patients are presently in the city for treatment, and to make them feel at home a party was organised by the staff of the hospital. The gesture was highly appreciated by the patients. Dr Laura Andretta, a radiologist from Italy, has come to the city for treatment of Giovanni, while her husband, who is a musician and has a kidney cancer with widespread metastasis.

Dr Inovay, a gynecologist from Hungary is accompanied by his friend Jeszenszky Istvan for treatment of Melanoma and Erdil Huseiyn has come from Turkey for treatment of knee arthritis. Dr Sharma, a retired professor from the Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, and Sumitar Singh form Birmingham (UK) are undergoing treatment for heart ailments.

The cancer patients informed that in their countries they already had had surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy and were here for Cytotron treatment. Cytotron holds promise for cancer patients and has shown encouraging results in clinical trials where treatment was done on patients declared terminal after all available treatments proved ineffective. Erdil Huseiyn, a businessman, had had knee surgery in Turkey and is here for treatment with Cytotron without surgery.

Dr Sharma and Sumitar Singh, having been advised heart by-pass surgery, are here for External Counter Pulsation and Artery Clearance Therapy. 2,000 patients have been treated at the centre to create natural by-pass and enhance blood flow without anaesthesia, surgery, wires or stents.

Patients from these countries along with the doctors joined hands to cut the New Year cake wishing health for all. Dr Sibia informed that tomorrow a patient is expected from Pakistan for treatment of brain cancer and in line with the philosophy of Guru Nanak Dev “Sarbat Ka Bhala” they considered world as a small village. The patients hailed uniqueness of the centre in treating various diseases without surgery and said that they had heard a lot about the centre and their visit here was truly a life changing experience. This centre has treated patients form over 30 countries and if the trend continued, Ludhiana will soon find itself in the fore-front of the country’s Medical Tourism.