BANGALORE: What better occasion than the World Heart Day
to spread the good word on prevention of heart disease?
This Sunday, most major heart centres in the city have
special programmes aimed at creating an awareness among
Bangaloreans on keeping their hearts healthy.
The charitable Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher
Medical Sciences' hospital has produced films on heart
care to be screened at the hospital for the benefit of
both patients and visitors.
"We have an ongoing counselling programme and
exhibition for patients in the hospital and on this day,
we will extend this to include even the visitors," says an
enthusiastic Brig (Retd) Suresh C. Bali, PRO.
"The counselling and printed material we have will help
spread information on heart care and I feel this should be
an ongoing process", says Brig Bali. Brig Bali has been
screening films and preparing brochures on cardiac care
and believes it should be done on a large scale and be
made available to all.
CEO in-charge of Manipal Heart Foundation Dr A. Malathi
said: ``We are organising a free consultation camp between
10 am and 1 pm on Sunday and will offer ECG, echo and
x-ray facilities at a discount of 50 per cent. We want
people to reassure themselves that nothing is wrong with
them.''
Narayana Hrudayalaya has organised a quiz and heart
check-up camp on Sunday. "We will screen people at a very
nominal cost", says K.S. Vasuki, public relations officer.
The hospital will also conduct a quiz on the heart and
give away gift hampers to the winners.
"It is a nice way to get across the message and people
will never forget what they learn," says Vasuki. "An
interactive lecture will be delivered at the hospital by a
cardiologist and people can ask questions", Vasuki adds.
The Heart Centre at Bhagawan Mahaveer Jain Hospital is
organising a free check up camp at its premises. It's
chairman Dr S.S. Ramesh will also deliver a lecture.
Dr Ramana Rao, an eminent cardiologist feels preventive
medicare in cardiology needs to be undertaken on a war
footing. "With younger people developing heart diseases it
is important that we educate them on how to keep their
hearts healthy", he says. Dr Rao advocates a campaign
urging the youth to keep their stress levels and weight in
check and exercise regularly.
"We are a long way away from effective preventive care
in India for want of time, funds and motivation," he
decries. The World Heard Day is as good an excuse as one
can get to begin. After all, as Dr Rao says, "a healthy
heart is a happy heart".
[ SUNDAY,
SEPTEMBER 30, 2001 01:20:13 AM ]