From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Oct 17: St. Martha’s Hospital team of doctors, medical staff, recovering stroke patients and their families participated in a walkathon organized by the Bangalore Stroke Support Group (BSSG) to create public awareness on the medical symptoms and medical care necessary for those suffering stokes in Bengaluru on Saturday morning.
Karnataka’s former Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde, noted Cardiac surgeon Dr Devi Shetty and Kannada film actor Raghavendra Rajkumar were among the dignitaries, who were present at the walkthlon that took off from Bengaluru’s Freedom Park in the morning.
The walkathon was conducted to increase general awareness on medical symptoms of stroke and the immediate medical care that is necessary.
The walkathon also served to enlighten people on the advancements in medical care for stroke patients and also to spread the word regarding the presence of a support group for both patients and their family members.
Justice Hegde said people should know more about health and felt the walkathon was the best means to reach out to the people about strokes and treating it timely
Expressing happiness on the creation and the work of the BSSG, Director of St Martha’s Hospital Jayakar Jerome said there was a lacunae with regard to stroke patients while there were dedicated support groups for cancer, thalassemia and other such ailments.
“As a medical institution, we believe that we must do everything in our power to further the cause of such groups and let more people know of its existence. The walkathon is the perfect way for our hospital to join in the awareness drive.’’
Walkthlon precursor to World Stroke Day on Oct 29:
BSSG President G T Subhash explained that people suffer from Ischemic strokes that are a result of blockages. What people are unaware of is the fact that if they seek medical help within 3 to 4.5 hours of the strokes, the blockages may be removed with medication and the possibility of brain related disabilities are reduced significantly.
“We hope to increase awareness through this walkathon and through activities on World Stroke Day,’’ he said.
Dr Anil Ramakrishna, Neurologist at St Martha’s Hospital and executive committee member of BSSG said the walkathon is a precursor to World Stroke Day that is celebrated on October 29.
Apart from St Martha’s Hospital, other leading private hospitals like Manipal Hospital, BGS Hospital, M S Ramaiah Hospital, N H Mazumdar Hospital, Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital were present at the walkathon.
St Martha’s was founded in 1886:
St Martha’s Hospital on Nrupathunga Road was founded in 1886 by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd Order.
With a modest beginning with only 50 beds, the hospital has grown into a leading multi-specialty hospital with over 550 beds and offers health care across all major specialities such as Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Urology, Cardiology and Neurosurgery and more.
The hospital offers free medical care to deserving patients when needed.