• Organised by Chandigrh Police & Fortis Hospital Mohali in association with Chandigarh Senior Citizens’ Association

NewZNew (Chandigarh) : The UT Adviser Mr Vijay Kumar Dev and Mr RP Upadhyay, Inspector General of Police (IGP), UT today flagged off a ‘Walk for Fitness’ organized by Chandigarh Police and Fortis Hospital Mohali in association with Chandigarh Senior Citizens’ Association at Sukhna Lake. Mr Ashish Bhatia, Regional Director (North), Fortis Healthcare Ltd, and Mr Abhijit Singh, Facility Director, Fortis Mohali, accompanied close to 200 senior citizens for the walkathon, which was organized on eve of World Heart Day. The theme of this year’s World Heart Day is ‘creating healthy heart environments’.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Ashish Bhatia, Regional Director (North), Fortis Healthcare Ltd, said “Cardiovascular Diseases are the world’s largest killers, claiming 17.3 million lives a year. This number is feared to touch the 23 million mark by 2030. But most Cardiovascular Diseases can be prevented by addressing risk factors, such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity.

This year, Fortis dedicates itself to the World Heart Day theme of exposing how much our environments can impact and increase CVD risk factors. Hence, our effort to popularize healthy heart choices is reflected in this walkathon for senior citizens, a high risk age group who specifically need a lot of attention as most are staying aware from children.”

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Abhijit Singh, Director, Fortis Hospital Mohali, emphasized on the importance of Preventive Health Checks. “Fortis Mohali has a very developed Preventive Health Check department which offers Cardiac checks that can quickly gauge the risk of coronary heart ailments. I urge that families, including younger members, get their health checks done every year to keep their heart healthy,” he said.

Mr DS Grewal, President, Chandigarh Senior Citizens’ Association, said, “We appreciate the role played by Fortis Mohali in not only organizing today’s walkathon, but also numerous health campaigns and activities that they hold for senior citizens from time to time. Close to 200 people have gathered here today as a promise to self to take care of their health. It’s the quality of life that’s of paramount importance.”

Fortis Mohali also organized a free checkup camp at the lake, during which 300 odd people availed the benefits of services extended.