Media Release
Mangaluru, Sep 17: KMC Hospital, one of the leading healthcare centre in the region held a 2-km Women On Walk (WoW) for healthy heart, an initiative to promote women's heart health. The walkathon was flagged off at 6.30 AM on Sunday, September 17 by Geetha D Kulkarni, assistant commissioner of police, traffic sub-division, Mangaluru. Dr Ashita Uppoor, dean, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangaluru and Dr Priyanka Shekar, medical officer, State Bank of India were the guests of honour for the walkathon. Varsha, national level athlete, was the torch bearer who led the walkathon flagged off from KMC Hospital and passing via Dr B R Ambedkar Circle to Marena Sports Complex, Kaprigudda. The walkathon witnessed more than 1000 participants who walked with a lot of zeal.
The walkathon was aimed as a part of the upcoming World Heart Day to raise awareness about heart health and spread the message that women’s heart health is important for her and her family since it is a tendency that women’s heart health is often neglected. There were scores of women particularly the young and middle-aged who participated in the walkathon. The dress theme for the women on walk (WoW) for heart health was red color.
Dr Narasimha Pai, head of department, cardiology, KMC Hospital, Mangaluru spoke about the importance of World Heart Day at the event. Also present on the occasion were Saghir Siddiqui, regional chief operating officer, KMC Hospital, Mangaluru; Dr Dilip G Naik, Pro VC, MAHE, Mangaluru campus, Dr B Unnikrishnan, dean, KMC Mangaluru, Dr Padmanabha Kamath, Dr M N Bhat, Dr Rajesh Pai, interventional cardiologists, Dr Maneesh Rai, Cardiac Electrophysiologist, Dr Madhav Kamath and Dr Suraj Pai, cardio thoracic & vascular surgeon, Dr Harish Ragavan & Dr Iresh Shetty, heart surgeons, KMC Hospital, Mangaluru along with doctors, head of the departments, hospital management and staff members who participated in large numbers.
There were a lot of institutions, corporates, students from colleges and voluntary organisations who also took part in this heart health awareness initiative. In the valedictory function, the winners of Heartbeat Quiz, a heart health awareness program by KMC Hospital in association with Red FM and various categories of prizes on the walkathon for best group/institution participation, most enthusiastic participant, best slogan and best placard were given away after the walkathon. Mrs Mangalore fame Soujanya Hegde compered the programme.
World Heart Day is observed and celebrated annually on September 29, with the aim of increasing awareness of cardiovascular diseases and how to control them to negate their global impact. The month-long campaign is aimed at creating awareness among the public on the causes, symptoms, health risks, and other factors related to heart diseases and to educate the public on the right way to tackle heart diseases.