Vascular Society of India's Walkathon held in 26 cities pan India on 6th Aug'23

Vascular Society of India, founded on 6th August 1994 in Chennai, today, celebrated the National Vascular Day across the nation. On this occasion, a walkathon was organised in 26 cities across India to spread awareness by a message of 'Walk a Mile to Live with a Smile' with a theme - Amputation FREE India. The Walkathon started from Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, encircled the India Gate and reached back at the National Stadium.

Following the vision of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a Fit India, the VSI organised the WALKATHON with an aim to bring the national focus on promoting healthcare, awareness, and timely interventions to prevent conditions that could lead to lower limb amputations (diabetes, smoking, hypertension and high cholesterol).

Dr. Tapish Sahu, Secretary, Vascular Society of India said, “Our Mission is to Promote Healthier Communities through comprehensive Vascular Health Care Delivery System resulting in Amputation FREE India. We are very encouraged to see the pan India response. Today on the National Vascular Day, Walkathon has taken place simultaneously in 26 cities across the nation, where over 8,000 enthusiastic participants joined with great fervour.” Other noted Vascular surgeons present on this occasion to lend their support to the initiative were Dr VS Bedi, Dr Col. Kumud Rai, Dr Rajiv Parakh, Dr Tarun Grover, Dr Sandeep Agarwal, Dr Ajay Yadav, Dr Ravul Jindal and Dr Apurva Srivastava (Treasurer, VSI)

This national drive becomes more relevant in today’s times, when India is becoming the diabetic capital of the world. More and more population is at the risk of preventable amputations because of unhealthy lifestyle and diet. This is an effort to create nationwide awareness, so that these amputations can be prevented by lifestyle changes, and if at all the need arises, treatment can be done early, thus preserving their quality of life.