Amputation Free India: Walk a Mile to Live with Smile organized by PGI Chandigarh

Earlier, the Walkathon was flagged off by Chief Guest Kumar Gaurav Dhawan, Deputy Director (Administration), PGIMER from Kairon Block, PGIMER amid huge applause. Dr Arunanshu Behera, Head, the Department of General Surgery, PGIMER was also present on the occasion.

Dhawan terming the response as overwhelming during the flag-off ceremony, stated, “We’re probably well aware of the increase in the incidence of peripheral arterial disease due to excessive use of smoking, diabetes mellitus and ageing. Thus, by organising this Walkathon, we want to disperse a message of a healthier lifestyle by inculcating a daily routine of 30-45 minutes of walking.”

Behera urged for proactive engagement on a continuous basis to help create awareness about the need for daily walk-in routines to keep our legs healthy.

Expressing his concern, Dr Ajay Savlania, Vascular Surgeon from the Dept of General Surgery, PGIMER said, “ In the world, approximate 23.7 crore people have lower extremity peripheral vascular disease (blockage of the arteries of legs which can lead to amputation of legs), of whom three quarters are in low- or middle-income countries. In India, 4.3% population (4.1-5 crore) suffer from peripheral vascular disease which can be contained to a large extent with something as basic as walking for 30-45 minutes on a daily basis.”