Successful Walkathon marks vascular day with over 350 participants

Over 350 participants engaged in the Walkathon event, “Walk a mile to Live with A Smile,” organized by PGIMER’s Department of General Surgery to promote the “Amputation Free India” campaign on the occasion of Vascular Day. Dr. Ajay Savlania, Vascular Surgeon at PGIMER, expressed concern over the global prevalence of lower extremity peripheral vascular disease, especially in low- or middle-income countries, and emphasized the potential benefits of daily 30-45 minutes of walking.
The Walkathon, supported by PGIMER’s Department of General Surgery and Vascular Society of India, saw a diverse group of participants, including faculty, doctors, nursing officers, and enthusiasts. The walk covered a distance of six kilometers from PGIMER to Sukhna Lake. Nitin Yadav IAS, Home Secretary of Chandigarh Administration, commended the participants for their enthusiasm in supporting the cause of amputation-free India and highlighted the importance of walking for both personal health and the environment.
The event was inaugurated by Shri Kumar Gaurav Dhawan, Deputy Director (Administration) at PGIMER, who underlined the rise in peripheral arterial disease due to factors like smoking and diabetes. The Walkathon aimed to promote a healthier lifestyle by encouraging daily 30-45 minutes of walking.