On the occasion of National Vascular Day, a walkathon was organized in Madurai by the Vascular Society of India (VSI) to focus on the critical issues of amputation prevention and vascular health awareness. The walkathon saw enthusiastic participation from over 400 residents, who gathered at the Golden Jubilee Arch Madurai Medical College, passed by the Collector Office and the Avin Milk Booth, proceeded along KK Nagar Road and KK Nagar Arch and Rajah Muthiah Mantram Law College, and concluded at Madurai Medical College. The event was a part of the national walkathon which brought together over 15,000 participants across 30 cities including Madurai.
The Chief Guests and Guests of Honour for the event were M.S.Sangeetha, IAS Honourable District Collector, Dr R Dharmaraj , Dean of Madurai Medical College, Dr Rathinavel, Dean of Vellammal Medical College, Dr Ramesh Arthanari, Medical Director Madurai Meenakshi Mission hospital , Dr Kannan, Medical administrator of Meenakshi Superspeciality Hospital and Dr Sivakumar, Chairman of Preeti Multispeciality Hospital. Dr Alwar Ramanujam Director Bharathi infinity Hospital.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 1 million limb amputations occur globally each year, with a significant portion being preventable through early intervention and proper management of risk factors. In India, around 40-50% of all amputations are due to complications from vascular diseases, particularly diabetes. This highlights the critical need for increased awareness and preventive measures to manage risk factors like high blood sugar, hypertension, and high cholesterol.
Flagging off the walkathon, Dr. Saravanan Robinson, Vascular Surgeon at Bharathi Hospital, Madurai said, “Peripheral vascular disease, the leading cause of limb loss incidents, surpassing trauma-related amputations by almost eight times, is a significant health concern. The recent walkathon, a powerful demonstration of our community's dedication to health, saw participants of all ages championing fitness and spreading awareness about vascular diseases. This event, organized by the Vascular Society of India, underscored the importance of early detection and treatment in achieving an amputation-free world, for which we are deeply grateful.”
Commenting on the initiative, Dr.Tapish Sahu, Secretary of the Vascular Society of India, stated, “Our objective is to enhance community health by establishing a comprehensive vascular healthcare framework, striving for an amputation-free India. The overwhelming response across the nation is very encouraging. It is inspiring to see so many people come together for such a vital cause. The walkathon not only highlights the importance of vascular health but also underscores the power of community in driving change.”