OVER 1000 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN 5K WALKATHON ORGANIZED BY STAR HOSPITALS AT FINANCIAL DISTRICT

09^th April, Hyderabad: Star Hospitals has always been at the forefront in providing quality healthcare services and creating awareness in the society. The hospital's new facility at the Financial District has organized a 5K Walkathon to raise awareness on Kidney Care. Dr. Gopichand Mannam, Managing Director, Star Hospitals, Dr. Ramesh Gudapati, Joint Managing Director, Mr. Badrinath RSV, Retired DCP, Mr. Ramana Eshwaragiri, President, Tellapur Neighbourhood Association, Dr. Gandhe Sridhar, Sr. Consultant Nephrologist & Transplant Physician, Star Hospitals, Dr. G. Jyothsna, Sr. Consultant Nephrologist & Transplant Physician, Star Hospitals, and other Doctors from the Department of Nephrology & other specialities participated in the walk. The event, which was held on Sunday, received an overwhelming response from the local community with over 1000 people participating, including over 40 Chronic Kidney Disease survivors. Participants walked along a pre-determined route, from Nanakramguda Circle to Khajaguda lake & back to Star Hospitals.

During the event, Star Hospitals felicitated Sri Appasani Seshagiri Rao, a centenarian from Tadepalligudem, for his inspiring and holistic lifestyle. Mr. Rao has been a role model for many individuals, as he leads a healthy life with a balanced diet and regular exercise routine. The organizers acknowledged the importance of adopting a holistic lifestyle, which can help prevent kidney diseases.

The Walkathon aimed to create awareness about the importance of kidney care and the need for early detection of kidney diseases. It was a significant step towards promoting a healthy lifestyle, as kidney diseases are often caused by unhealthy lifestyle choices such as poor diet & lack of physical activity.

After the walkathon event, Star Hospitals took a commendable step by offering Free Health Check-Up Packages to the participants. This gesture not only appreciated the participants' efforts but also encouraged them to prioritize their health and well-being. 

Giving his note on the occasion, Sri Appasani Seshagiri Rao, said, “I thank Star Hospitals for inviting me to this exciting event. Leading a healthy life is really simple, all you need to do is strictly maintain a healthy diet. I am a pure vegetarian since my early childhood. Maintaining a healthy diet is undoubtedly one of the most important aspects of leading a healthy life. A vegetarian diet, like the one I follow, has numerous health benefits and is associated with a lower risk of chronic diseases. Apart from following a healthy diet, it's also important to stay physically active and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management techniques like meditation can help in improving overall health and wellbeing. Let's continue to work towards creating a healthier society and inspire others to lead a healthy life.”

Sri Stephen Raveendra, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Cyberabad, appreciated Star Hospitals' efforts in organizing the walkathon to create awareness about kidney care and commended the participants for their active participation in the event. Stephen Raveendra's support for the initiative further strengthened the message of the event.

Dr. Gopichand Mannam, Managing Director, Star Hospitals, said, “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Sri Seshagiri Rao Garu for taking time and gracing this event. He is a true inspiration for the future generation. It was heartening to see the massive turnout of individuals, including over 40 Chronic Kidney Disease survivors, who participated in the event to promote kidney care awareness. I thank all the participants and the community for their overwhelming support towards the cause of promoting kidney care. I feel glad & I am very happy to witness the enthusiasm of the participants. We hope that this event has inspired individuals to prioritize their health and take measures towards maintaining healthy kidneys. It is also very important to create awareness about the significance of organ donation. It also serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy, compassion, and generosity in our communities”.

Dr. Ramesh Gudapati, Joint Managing Director, Star Hospitals, said, “At Star Hospitals, we believe that healthcare is a fundamental right, and we are committed to providing quality healthcare services to the community. Our initiative to organize the walkathon was aimed at promoting healthy living and well-being, and we are pleased with the positive response that it has received. We appreciate the presence of Sri Appasani Seshagiri Rao Garu, who was felicitated during the event for inspiring many individuals. His presence was an inspiration to all of us and has further strengthened our resolve to promote healthy living. We believe that such initiatives are vital in spreading awareness about global health issues and encouraging individuals to take care of their health.” 

Mr. Badrinath RSV, Retired DCP, said, “I appreciate all the participants of this 5K Walkathon. Today's competitive world has made our lives more mechanical. It's high time to pay attention to our health. Participating in such events not only helps in promoting physical health but also boosts mental wellbeing.”

Mr. Ramana Eshwaragiri, President, Tellapur Neighbourhood Association, said, “I congratulate Star Hospitals for organizing this event. Star Hospitals always been at the forefront in creating awareness in the society. With the support of Star Hospitals, we can make a significant impact on our communities by providing CPR training sessions. CPR training is an essential life skill that can save someone's life in case of a cardiac emergency.”

Dr. Gandhe Sridhar, Sr. Consultant Nephrologist & Transplant Physician, Star Hospitals, said, “This Walkathon is a crucial event that aims to create awareness about the importance of kidney care and the evolution of kidney transplant procedures that have made it possible for people with different blood groups to donate and receive kidneys. As a doctor who has witnessed the positive impact of kidney transplants on patients, your participation can help raise awareness about this life-saving procedure and encourage people to consider organ donation. There are people in this group who have undergone kidney transplant 15, 20 years back & leading a normal life.”

Dr. G. Jyothsna, Sr. Consultant Nephrologist & Transplant Physician, Star Hospitals, said, “Preventive kidney care is essential to maintain kidney health and avoid the risk of developing kidney disease. Taking simple steps like maintaining a healthy diet, staying hydrated, and avoiding smoking and alcohol can go a long way in preventing kidney damage. Early detection of kidney disease can also help prevent further damage and delay the need for a kidney transplant. This Walkathon is an excellent opportunity for healthcare professionals to share their knowledge and expertise with the public.”

The event was a great success, and the participants appreciated Star Hospitals' initiative to create awareness about kidney care. Star Hospitals plans to continue organizing such events in the future to promote healthy living.