World Heart Day marked with walkathon, cardiac screening, awareness programmes

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Sept 29: World Heart Day was observed today across Jammu and Kashmir with a series of cardiac screening camps, awareness programmes and a walkathon aimed at highlighting the growing importance of cardiovascular health, preventive care, healthy lifestyles and timely diagnosis of heart-related diseases.

On the occasion, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital organized a free comprehensive cardiac screening and consultation camp, providing preventive heart-care services to more than 450 people.

The camp was inaugurated by Sachin Kumar Vaishya, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. Alok Kumar Maurya, Additional Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, and Dr Yashpal Sharma, Facility Director, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, were also present.

The camp brought Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery services together on a single platform, with consultations provided by Dr Sushant, Senior Consultant, Cardiology; Dr Mukesh Kumar Sharma; Dr Vinod Bhan, Senior Consultant, CTVS; and Dr Romil Dutt Sharma, Consultant, CTVS.

Participants were offered free ECG, echocardiography, blood investigations and specialist consultations, enabling comprehensive assessment of their cardiovascular health.

To mark the occasion, a walkathon under the theme "Don't Miss a Beat" was organized from Bikram Chowk to Government Super Speciality Hospital, Resham Ghar. The walkathon brought together doctors, students, public representatives, security personnel and citizens to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the importance of prevention.

Addressing participants at the conclusion of the walk, Dr Sushil Kumar Sharma, Head of the Department of Cardiology, GMC Jammu, said prevention remains one of the strongest defences against heart disease. "Nothing is more powerful than human resolve," he said, stressing that healthier lifestyles, better food choices and regular physical activity can play a crucial role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Besides students of various schools and CRPF personnel, prominent among those who participated in the walkathon were Shakti Pathak, Director, Anti-Corruption Bureau, J&K; Arun Gupta, president, Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Jammu; Cardiologist Dr Mohan Lal; CTVS surgeon Dr Arvind Kohli; Dr Gurjit Singh; Dr Vijay Kundal; Rajinder Sharma, former Jammu Mayor; Dr Rehana Khursid, Medical Superintendent, SSH Jammu; and Dr Sanjogita Soodan, Deputy MS, SSH Jammu.

Meanwhile, Swami Vivekananda Medical Mission (SVMM) Charitable Hospital, Ambphalla, Jammu, celebrated World Heart Day on its hospital premises. On the occasion, Dr Anil Kumar Sharma, Visiting (Interventional Cardiologist) at SVMM, addressed patients, attendants and other participants, highlighting the importance of maintaining good heart health and preventing cardiovascular diseases.

Dr Arvind Kohli, Medical Director and CTVS Surgeon, SVMM, highlighted that the hospital is already providing cardiac care services through its existing CTVS expertise and cardiology consultation facilities.

Amar Chand Gupta, president, SVMM management committee, highlighted the hospital's commitment to providing affordable and accessible healthcare services to the community.

B S Jamwal, SVMM general secretary, stressed the importance of organizing health awareness programmes to educate the public about common diseases and their prevention.

The programme was attended by Dr Jatinder Gupta, secretary; Dr Rabinder Rattanpal, Medical Superintendent; Pallavi Sharma, Eye Consultant; Pawan Sharma, Liasion Officer; and Sukhdev Singh Baloria, Cardio Technician.

Jammu Sanskriti School, Jammu celebrated World Heart Day in collaboration with Medanta Hospital. The celebration featured "Run for a Healthy Heart," with enthusiastic participation from the Sports Department, teachers and students, followed by Debate and Poster Making Competitions that encouraged students to explore heart health through creativity and discussion.

The programme was enriched by the presence of Dr Sham Lal, BMO Bishnah, as guest speaker and Dr Arvind Sharma, Department of Internal Medicine, Medanta - The Medicity, Gurugram, as special guest.

In Kashmir, the Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences (SLS), with the support of the Health Centre, Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir), organized an awareness programme on the theme "Cardiovascular Diseases: Prevention, Diagnostics and Community Awareness" at the Tulmulla Campus.

Addressing the gathering comprising faculty members, scholars and students, Registrar Dr Nisar Ahmad Mir highlighted the seriousness of cardiovascular disorders and the need to make heart-health awareness an integral part of community life.

Dean SLS, Prof Abid Hamid Dar, emphasized the need to understand cardiovascular health in the broader context of human physiology and disease. He also highlighted the physiological characteristics of the heart and its central role in sustaining life.

During the technical sessions, Dr Mohsin Raj Mantoo from Paras Hospital, Prof Mahrukh Hamid from SKIMS Soura and Dr Momin Bhat from GMC Srinagar delivered detailed presentations on the theme and interacted with the participants. Zonal Head JK Bank, Layek Ahmad Jan, also spoke on the occasion.

Prof Rajiv Taliyan from BITS Pilani and Dr H N Yadav from AIIMS New Delhi also discussed the theme, further emphasizing the need for greater awareness, prevention and timely intervention in tackling cardiovascular diseases.