18.35 IST

18.35 IST

6.35, my foot!

I knew exactly how these private buses operate and this man certainly can't fool me. The guy while pretending to be a pilot should have realised that though he too was flying, he better stay grounded.

It was my son's birthday and I decided to take a day off to be with him at Pala. The first phase of the journey was on rail, my favourite mode, but alas it got interrupted a bit too early. I had to alight at Thiruvalla instead of Kottayam as there was some work going on and I had to hurry to reach him before his evening prep start at 6. I took an auto from Thiruvalla to Changanechery with the generous driver himself buying me a prepaid ticket from the indifferent (to me) lady at the counter who wrote 20 on it. Did he wink at her? Anyway I was happy and bit astonished too. I didn't know you could travel in an auto from Thiruvalla to Changanechery at Rs 20 until we reached there when the polite and friendly driver demanded 200. He said 20 was for one km and we'd traversed 10. He certainly winked, I was convinced. I had little choice but to pay, yet was impressed by his smartness. Though he reiterated my doubt on my common sense, the price wasn't too high.

Actually he was the one who suggested me to board a private bus to Pala and brought me to Changanechery stand. My mood wasn't great and obviously wasn't impressed too much when the bus driver told that it would take off at 4 40 and land at Pala at 6 35. 6.35!! I'd have believed 6 30 or 6 45 but not 6 35, that too in India, coming from a private bus driver. Yet another attempt to mock at me. Believing him would have been too much for my vanity. 

Still there was a surprise. The bus took off at 440 and I was sure my misery was starting. I managed a comfy window seat with good access to railings as I was very much aware that one may be thrown out anytime from a private bus as it negotiates the curves and blatantly overtake fellow buses and the crew would bother the least. People started pouring in and the crowd gradually swelled. Though many ladies were standing, none bothered to share my seat probably to keep the Mallu tradition intact. But soon a harsh laborer asked me to remove my bag and squeezed me to a side. I was prepared for the worst. I knew this journey would be sheer misery.

With the bus moving there was a gush of wind across my face and I did enjoy the refreshing air. Splendid churches with beautiful domes started appearing and I started glancing at the sights from the window. Was I begining to enjoy the ride, I wondered.

"Karukachal", screamed the conductor as the bus came to a screeching halt about 15 minutes after we started. I was begining to grow optimistic as we'd covered quite a distance in the short time and genuinely felt we might reach before time in this 47km drive. But alas, these guys had their delaying tactics. The bus stopped and the conductor announced a ten minute break. Of course, it had to be, how can we work for more than 15 minutes at a stretch! The humidity and temperature inside did make the break horrible. I was getting late too. But then, there was hardly any choice. I'd already committed to the agony. Army had taught me to make the best in any adversity. It suddenly happened to me that I'll use the opportunity to connect with friends. Many of them while living abroad had a heart of Indian steel and was missing the nation each minute. What else could be more exciting than tempting them further on homeland. Believe me, there was 3G uninterrupted (I'm yet to get a 4G phone) as I merrily switched on whataspp and updated status as 'Elated- the green and serene Kerala. Sheer bliss'. Some curious friends joined. Hey, what's it? I'm in a bus through the green heavens in Kottayam, I responded.

The bus had started from Karukachal, and I was excited responding to the curious mates abroad, clicking the best scenes from the window and careful to avoid the misery around. They were growing jealous which made me more ecstatic. The guy sitting next was staring at my phone but probably all he could gather was that the phone was laughing, smiling and even hugging at times. I was confident that if he had to understand the conversations I had to teach him English first and so kept narrating incidents true and otherwise to my friends on whataspp. I was clicking pictures frequently and posting them. The huts, the mansions, traditional houses, landscape, hills, trees, streams...well there was almost everything to send. 

Small yet beautiful temples, sparsely crowded suburbs, a village gathering around a kolaambi (horn) mike playing old songs all added to the vivid scenes on the way. One junction gave out a splendid aroma of beef fry and I would have forgotten my diet vow had I not been in a hurry. There was also a kallu (toddy) shop, against an inviting backdrop of the country side with dipping Sun, which would have been tempting to those who relished it, but certainly that's not my cup of drink. The drive was really smooth. I had expected bad roads and huge potholes but not only was there few of these most of the roads were infact too good. That's little wonder given that there was three ministers in close neighbourhood not long time back. There was a drizzle and the wind was really cool.

I was by now enjoying every bit of the trip and naturally got lost in time and space. Hey, what brings you here, asked a friend and I suddenly realised I had a purpose. I looked into my watch. It showed 6.33. We were probably traversing some town. I looked around. There were hardly few people now. 

Oh, how far is Pala, I asked the conductor. I knew that we wouldn't be anywhere near and frankly by now I may have relished drive for another half hour or so. 

"Two more minutes sir", he replied. 

My goodness! is this true? 

6.35pm and we entered Pala bus stand. My annoyance at the crew became appreciation as I watched with reverence, the pious driver switch off the engine and alight for a well deserving rest.

Did anyone think that IST was Indian stretchable time? Well, not any more. 

The nation is on fast track and punctuality do matter. Rural India too, I'm convinced after the enchanting trip, would never be found wanting.

DIET lecture by Dr SREEJITH N KUMAR

Health manifesto

Health manifesto
An overview on the Health manifesto of both fronts in Kerala indicate that there is a welcome awakening but more attention is required.
UDF has included Health in its prime slogan (food, shelter and health for all), while the LDF has spelt out its priority for health in the manifesto. These are definitely welcome measures in a state where Health is yet to get due importance. This beginning is good, but the path is hazy and end is not in sight.
Health, by and large, is seen by many as merely treating diseases. The basic principles are often forgotten or ignored. It’s quite understandable as one gets glory for the diseases treated but only an intelligent society can appreciate the value of those prevented. Plenty of dialysis centres, cath labs, organ transplantation and medical colleges are promised whereas primary care gets largely ignored. How long can “an inverted pyramid” be stable?
UDF has health in its slogan but nothing more to cheer about in the detailed description. Its idea of declaring health as a right is the need of the hour. It lays more emphasis on public private mix, which again is a welcome initiative. The idea of eradication of communicable diseases by 2020 is only wishful thinking especially with no road map set. There are very few policy directions outlined in the manifesto which dwells primarily on few diseases and programmes. The idea of integrating different systems of therapy is most unscientific.
LDF, on the other hand, do spell out some clear policies though few lack clarity and some measures are detrimental. The promise to increase health expenditure to 5% is the most laudable measure in the entire manifesto. This was something which health activists had been demanding for quite some time now. The promises of improving staff pattern in Government hospitals and bringing in health insurance too are welcome measures. The suggestions that KSDP and similar drug manufacturing units will be promoted to produce quality drugs for the Government sector, inclusion of health topics in school curriculum, establishment of Medical service recruitment board and evidence based approach to traditional systems of Medicine will all be valuable if implemented. However the idea to start IP care in PHC and advanced treatment facilities like Cath lab in Taluk hospitals cannot be seen as scientific measures. The hub of preventive care today is the PHC, which is already fragile and no attempt to dilute the Primary care further should be done. Super Specialty services should be established and strengthened at district level. Private partnership should be encouraged in this area. It wouldn’t be wise to spend the meager resources in establishing too many specialty centres at the cost of compromising Primary care.
While the manifesto of both fronts have set some directions, much need to be done once the new ministry comes in. First and foremost will be formation of a huge health initiative incorporating all political parties, scientific organisations, voluntary and other health agencies. The first priority should be to delineate and declare a health policy with both short term and long term goals. A separate department for Public health (PH) is mandatory. DHS should be responsible for curative care and the PH department should be empowered for preventive care and public health. The four health determinants namely clean air, safe water, healthy food and safe environment should receive top priority. We urgently need a lifestyle policy, providing adequate allowances for safe food and exercise. We need to evolve effective strategies to combat the rising trend of communicable and non communicable diseases. Prompt promotion of Research and establishment of Mono faculty University for Modern Medicine are also required. Only Scientific medicine and methods should be promoted. Medical education policy has to be clearly spelt out. The young medicos should get quality Medical education and also adequate opportunity for higher education. Adequate utilisation of Medical manpower should be ensured. Cost of medical care should be curtailed and quality ensured. Drugs should be manufactured in public sector and distributed through public distribution system. Huge initiatives for health education and promotion should be ensured utilising all available resources.
It’s heartening to note that Health is beginning to get some attention but much more is due. With both fronts taking up health seriously let us hope that a new dawn will break in the state’s health scenario with primary health getting due priority and affordable quality care ensured for all citizens.

Yes! I am an Army Doctor.

Yes! I am an Army Doctor.

We were curious and excited when ‘Hisar' flashed on TV, that too on BBC. A small town in Haryana, three hours from Delhi, Hisar didn't have much to boast about, other than a famous Agriculture university and strong military presence. That day it seems, Hisar was the hottest spot in the whole subcontinent. Temperatures would easily touch 45 on some of the hottest days. That may not be unusual for many in North India, but as Army Doctors what we were to encounter was heat stroke in our soldiers as they were brought in red hot to the casualty. Few weeks back we heard about the extreme cold claiming lives of some valiant men in Siachen. Heat or cold, they work, they serve, they guard the nation and I am so very proud that I could be of some service to the Armed force.

I had never imagined that I will land up in Army with the hectic studies and campus politics which used to involve me fully in my college days. My sister and her husband working as civil staff in defence directorate those days had a strong role in motivating me to join the Army as a young medical graduate. I was also thrilled by the uniform, the shining stars, the huge repute and above all the handsome salary which made the pauper Medico extremely happy. Little did I know that I was to embark on one of the most exciting journeys of my life.

            After joining Trivandrum Military hospital as a Captain, we went for our basic course in Lucknow. Those two months of rigorous training rebuilt me from a weak civilian to a tough army man. Seldom did I do any exercise before that and would easily tire even while running to catch a bus, but after the training, jogging and long distance running became a passion. There was a camp in our course when we were even trained to use a deep trench latrine, two logs of wood kept over a trench, where we were supposed to relieve ourselves. Most of us found it very funny, least realising that even that would be a luxury in future. I still remember the tough training in the shooting ranges from where we all returned with heavy bruises on the shoulders. The trainers kept reminding us that “the more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war”. I was thrilled when we finished the course and I could obtain the awards as the best outgoing cadet and best shooter in the batch. We lost no time in packing our bags and reporting to our areas of service, mine being Hisar.

       

   In fact I was one of the lucky few who got posting to a reasonable town where we could reach by bus and train. Many were posted to remote areas in Arunachal and elsewhere at big heights and far off land, where even reaching the destination was a big challenge. Posting in a location in Army means that with that spot as centre you draw a huge circle of a few hundred kilometres, within which you will keep moving. Mine was a modest hospital setting in Hisar where I was one of the junior Doctors handling the causality and daily Op. We had some academic clubs as well. But frequently we had to move out, accompanying army units on exercise and firing missions. We used to spend months together in the firing ranges in remote Rajasthan and live in make shift tents. Officers have a small adjoining tent with a hole dug out, which was the toilet. Mostly, men and even officers used to go out in the fields in the dark to address nature’s call which was often risky as the deserts were full of dangerous reptiles. The tents used to be erected with snake trenches dug all around and on many mornings we used to wake up to find the deadly night visitors trapped in them. Those were not the days of mobile phones and communication to home was only once in a blue moon when we got access to some village with STD facility. We used to get free envelopes to write letters but replies would take weeks to reach. Getting back from the firing ranges and desert tracks after months of staying in the open, even a small bed room with a cot and a decent toilet seemed a luxury. Yet we loved it, the opportunity to serve the nation in uniform.

            Army did offer lot of aristocracy too. I had lived in Trivandrum all along but had never visited the palace. It was while I was serving as medical officer to a Madras regiment in Trivandrum that I got the opportunity to visit the palace. The royal family had hosted a dinner for all the officers of the unit. We used to have numerous parties and dinner nights as well. The one on promotion as Major, still remains sweet to me. Parties were there not just in the warm and cozy officer’s mess, but even out there in the wild. 

Life for the young Medico was truly exciting and adventurous. Army took me to see the country like never before. Whether it be the golden sand dunes of Jaisalmer, the historic forts of Rajasthan, the Chambal valleys of MP, the gorgeous Kullu Manali, the snow capped Himalayas, the breath taking Rohthang and Kunzumla pass, there were probably few spots left in north west India where Army didn't take me. We could pluck fresh apples form the orchards in Himachal, enjoy the love of people, travel in the Army trains and even tanks - life was full of vividly colourful experience. The numerous courses Army offered from warfare sessions to religious overviews could never have been experienced in any other world.

            Army did give me a great career too. Not only that it looked after me as an officer but also offered me chance to follow my passion and get trained for MD in Medicine in one of the prestigious Medical colleges of the country, the AFMC, under some of the best academicians. So, what was Army to me - service, adventure, fun, despair, achievement? Perhaps, it was a mixture of all. To me the Indian Army means a lot. Twenty years after wearing the uniform last, I am still very proud of having worn the olive green attire and the shining stars of the great Indian Army. It did give me so much that I will never be able to repay. I love my country, I love my Army.

Dr Sreejith N Kumar

Former Major Army Medical Corps

ഡോക്ടർമാർ രോഗികൾക്ക് വേണ്ടി തന്നെ

Reply to the questions posed by the article published by Manorama
ഡോക്ടർമാർ രോഗികൾക്ക് വേണ്ടി തന്നെ
Dr Sreejith N Kumar
ഡോക്ടർമാരുടെ പ്രതിബദ്ധത എന്നും സമൂഹത്തിനോടും, രോഗിയോടും തന്നെയാണ്. തെറ്റുകൾ ചൂണ്ടി കാണിക്കുമ്പോഴും മെഡിക്കൽ സമൂഹത്തിന്റെ മനോധൈര്യം തകരാതെ നോക്കണം. ഡോക്ടർമാർക്കു നേരയൂള്ള പല കുറ്റപെടുത്തലും അകാരണമാണെന്നു പറയാതെ വയ്‌യ.

ചികിത്സ ചിലവ് എന്നും പിടിച്ചു നിറുത്തിയിരുന്നത് ചെറിയ ആശുപത്രികളും, കുടുംബ ഡോക്ടരുമാണ്. ത്രിതല ശൈലി നമുക്ക് അനിവാര്യമാണ്. കുടുംബ ഡോക്ടറെ ആദ്യം കാണുക, റഫർ ചെയ്താൽ മാത്രം വലിയ ആശുപത്രികളിൽ പോവുക. രോഗങ്ങൾ പ്രതിരോധിക്കുവാനുള്ള ശാസ്ത്രീയ മാർഗങ്ങൾ സ്വീകരിക്കുക. സമീപ കാലത്ത് 500 ലധികം ചെറിയ ആശുപത്രികൾ പൂട്ടി പോയിട്ടുണ്ട്. സർക്കാർ എയ്ഡും , നികുതി ഇളവുകളും വഴി ഇവ നിലനിറുത്തിയെ മതിയാകൂ. ഡോക്ടർമാർ നടത്തുന്ന ചെറിയ ആശുപത്രികൾ അധികവും കച്ചവട കണ്ണിലാതെ തന്നെ ചികിത്സിക്കും. മരണ ശേഷവും വെന്റിലേറ്റർ ചികിത്സ നടന്നുവെങ്കിൽ തെളിവ് ഉടൻ IMA ക്കും മെഡിക്കൽ കൌണ്‍സിലിനും നല്കണം. നടപടി ഉറപ്പായും ഉണ്ടാവും. നൈതികമല്ലാത്ത ചികിത്സക്ക് ഒരു ഡോക്ടറും കൂട്ട് നിൽക്കില്ല, അത് അനുവദിക്കുകയുമില്ല.
ജനറിക് മരുന്നുകളുടെ പേരിൽ ഡോക്ടർമാരെ പഴിക്കുന്നത് ശരിയല്ല. സമൂഹത്തിലെ ഉന്നതർ എന്തിനു ബ്രാൻഡ് മരുന്നുകൾ ഉപയോഗിക്കുന്നു? ഡോക്ടർമാർ സ്വന്തം ആവശ്യത്തിനും ബ്രാൻഡ്‌ തന്നെ ഉപയോഗിക്കുന്നത് ഇവയ്ക്കു കൂടുതൽ ഗുണം ഉള്ളത് കൊണ്ടു തന്നെ. സ്വന്തം കുടുംബത്തിനു കൊടുക്കുന്ന മരുന്ന് സ്വന്തം രോഗിക്കും കൊടുക്കാം എന്ന് കരുതന്നതും ഇതിനാൽ തന്നെ. നിലവിലെ സർക്കാർ സംവിധാനത്തിന് മരുന്നുകളുടെ ഗുണനിലവാരം ഉറപ്പിക്കാൻ കഴിയുന്നില്ല. എല്ലാ മരുന്നുകൾക്കും തുല്യ നിലവാരം ഉറപ്പു നൽകാമെങ്കിൽ ജനറിക്ക് മരുന്ന് എഴുതാൻ തയ്യാറെന്ന് IMA നിരവധി തവണ വ്യക്തമാക്കിയിട്ടുളതാണ്. നിലവിൽ ജനറിക്ക് മരുന്ന് എഴുതിയാൽ ഏതു കൊടുക്കണം എന്ന് മെഡിക്കൽ സ്റൊറിൽ എടുത്തു കൊടുക്കുന്ന ആളാകും തീരുമാനിക്കുക. രോഗം മാറ്റുവാൻ ഉത്തരവാദി ആയ ഡോക്ടർ ഇതു തീരുമാനിക്ക്കുനതാകില്ലേ ഉചിതം. IMA ആവശ്യപെടുന്നത് സർക്കാർ തന്നെ ഗുണമുള്ള മരുന്ന് ഉത്പാധിപിച്ചു പൊതു ശ്രംഖല വഴി നല്കണം എന്നാണ്. എല്ലാ മദ്യകുപ്പിയിലും മുദ്ര പതിപ്പിച്ചു, സ്വന്തം ശ്രംഖല വഴി നൽകാമെങ്കിൽ മരുന്നിന്റെ കാര്യത്തിലും ഇതു ആകരുതോ? ചൊവ്വയില്ലേക്ക് ഉപഗ്രഹം അയക്കുന്ന രാജ്യത്തിനു മെഡിക്കൽ ഉപകരണങ്ങൾ നിർമ്മിക്കാൻ സാധിക്കില്ലേ? വേണ്ടത് രാഷ്ട്രീയ ഇഛാശക്തിയാണ്.

മരുന്നുകളുടെ ഭീമാമായ വിലക്ക് ഉത്തരവാദി ആരെന്നു നാമറിയണം. രാസ - വളം വകുപ്പിനു കീഴിലുള്ള NPPA (national pharmaceutical pricing authority ) ആണ് വില നിയന്ത്രിക്കുന്നത്‌, ഡോക്ടർമാർ അല്ല. ഉത്പാദന ചിലവിനനുസരിച്ച് മാത്രം വില നിശ്ചയിക്കുവാൻ ഇവര്ക് കമ്പനികളോട് നിർദേശിക്കാൻ കഴിയില്ലേ? സാധാരണ ഉപയോഗത്തിനു വേണ്ട മരുന്നുകൾ വില നിയന്ത്രണ പട്ടികയിൽ കൊണ്ട് വന്നു കൂടെ? ഇവർ സ്വാധീനത്തിന് വഴങ്ങുന്നുണ്ടോ? വില നിയന്ത്രണത്തിന് വേണ്ടതും രാഷ്ട്രീയ ഇഛാശക്തി തന്നെ.
രോഗികളോടും, സമൂഹത്തിനോടും ഏറ്റുവും പ്രതിബദ്ധത പുലർത്തിയാണ് ഡോക്ടര്മാരും, IMA യും പ്രവർത്തിക്കുന്നത്. നേപാളിലും, ചെന്നൈ യിലും അടക്കം നിരവധി മെഡിക്കൽ ക്യാമ്പുകൾ, സ്കൂളുകളെയും,ഗ്രാമങ്ങളെയും ദത്തെടുക്കുന്ന പദ്ധതി, നിർദ്ധന രോഗികൾക്കുള്ള ചികിത്സാ നിധി, വയോജന, സാന്ത്വന ശുശ്രുഷ, രക്ത ബാങ്കുകൾ തുടങ്ങി നിരവധി പദ്ധതികളാണ് ഡോകടർമാരുടെ സന്നദ്ധ സേവനത്തിലൂടെ IMA നടത്തുന്നത്. മെഡിക്കൽ രംഗത്തെ പരാതികൾ പരിഹരിക്കുവാൻ നൈതിക സമിതിയും, പരാതി പരിഹാര വേദിയും IMA നടത്തുന്നുണ്ട്. ഇവ ഉപയോഗിച്ച് തെറ്റുകാരായ ന്യൂനപക്ഷത്തെ കൂടി തിരുത്തുകയാണ് വേണ്ടത്. അതിനു മെഡിക്കൽ സമൂഹം തയ്യാറുമാണ്. ആത്മാർത്ഥവും, സത്യസന്ധവുമായി പണി ചെയ്യുന്ന ഭൂരിപക്ഷം വരുന്ന ഡോക്ടർമാരുടെ മനോധൈര്യം ചോരാതെ നോക്കേണ്ട ഉത്തരവാധിത്വം കൂടി സമൂഹത്തിനുണ്ട്.

ദുരന്തം

കയ്യിൽ ഒതുങ്ങുന്നതിലധികം കരുതി എന്നത്  സത്യം. പടി ഇറങ്ങുമ്പോൾ ഒന്ന് പിഴച്ചു. ദേ കിടക്കുന്നു മൊബൈൽ താഴെ! ഡിസ്പ്ലേ തെളിയുന്നില്ല.പ്രത്യക്ഷത്തിൽ മറ്റൊന്നും കണ്ടില്ല. ഒന്നും രണ്ടുമല്ല, രൂപ പതിനായിരം ആകും അത്രേ നന്നാക്കാൻ. ഒരിക്കലും പൊട്ടില്ല എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞു തന്ന ഗോറില്ല ഗ്ലാസ്‌ പൊട്ടിയെന്ന്. മാറ്റാതെ എന്ത് ചെയ്യാൻ. അപ്പോൾ നിനച്ചു samsungനു നല്കുനതിനെക്കാൾ ഒരു രൂപ എങ്കിലും കൂടുതൽ ചെന്നൈ ദുരന്ത നിവാരണത്തിനു  നല്കണമെന്ന്. അത് ഇന്ന് സാധ്യമായി. സ്വന്തം കാര്യത്തിനായി ചിലവാക്കുനത്തിൽ ഒരു അംശം ഒരു നല്ല കാര്യത്തിനായി നല്കരുതോ. ഒന്നുമില്ലേലും സ്വരാജ്യത്തിനാണല്ലോ.

"Myth brain stimulation"

"MYTH BRAIN STIMULATION"

Is the so called "Mid brain stimulation" a myth. 

Well at the outset I will say that I will refrain from being judgemental but would leave the answer to some brain exercises which any man can usually do without any 'stimulation'! The information is around us, only that we need to ponder a bit deep.

The claim goes that by stimulating the centre of brain, lying deep inside (mid brain) intellectual ability can be improved. Children can read blindfolded. I am no expert on the blindfolding part, but believe that Mr Muthukad, the famous Magician is and would naturally tend to believe him in this regard. This is what he said. http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Huge-Fraud-in-the-Pretext-of-Invoking-Sixth-Sense/2015/04/28/article2786736.ece

(for those who prefer a capsule and cannot read the entire news paper report, he says its a sheer technique in magic which he and his colleagues routinely perform)

Now on to a bit of science

Nervous system has many regions including Brain, spinal cord and nerves. Brain is the highest centre which sends and receives signals through nerves and various tracts which travel through the spinal cord. The main bulk of brain is what is called the Cerebrum, the superficial layer, the most vital part being cortex. This is the ultimate seat of all functions like movement, sight, hearing and what are known as higher mental functions like judgement, memory, concentration etc. 

The midbrain is located near the center of the brain, under the cerebral cortex and on top of the hindbrain region. This region joins the spinal cord and the brain together and is commonly referred to as part of the brainstem primarily due to its location.

The midbrain is the smallest region of the brain that acts as a sort of relay station for auditory (hearing) and visual information.The midbrain controls functions such as the visual and auditory systems as well as eye movement (though the ultimate centre for seeing is in the cerebral cortex). 

Portions of the midbrain called the red nucleus and the substantia nigra are involved in the control of body movement.  The midbrain lies deep within the brain and has an important role in reward, motivation, movement and the pathophysiology (scientific reason) of various neuropsychiatric disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, depression and addiction. 

Functions of the midbrain are achieved through the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and substantia nigra. Input is collected from the environment and sent to the cerebral cortex. The substantia nigra uses input sent from the cerebral cortex to regulate voluntary movements and moods. 

Can midbrain be manipulated?

http://www.nature.com/tp/journal/v3/n6/full/tp201344a.html

To date, the primary means of acting on this region has been with pharmacological interventions (drugs) or implanted electrodes. A new noninvasive technique transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the prefrontal cortex,  experimented recently could only achieve increases in participants’ appraisals of facial attractiveness. 

To put it simply scientists are trying to use some methods to modify functions of this area to treat certain diseases like Parkinsonism, Depression etc. but has not achieved substantial gains so far. This being science is it possible to believe that with few hours of some exercises mid brain can be stimulated.

These are certain basic questions.

1. Can midbrain be stimulated at all? Would it be safe to subject kids to techniques which are not scientifically substantiated?

2. Cerberal cortex and not mid brain is the highest centre of vision and how stimulating midbrain can help see blindfolded? 

3. Cerberal cortex and not mid brain is the centre of higher mental functions like memory, judgment, concentration and how can midbrain stimulation help achieve better mental ability?

If I have stimulated some thoughts in your brain (of course not midbrain!) the purpose is served.

I would suggest some further reading as well the links of which are given below.

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-make-superkids-through-mid-brain-activation-in-mumbai-centres-2007988

http://nirmukta.com/2015/03/26/midbrain-activation-and-mastery-a-skeptics-view/