Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, successfully organised the “JAI-HO – JIPMER Accident and Injuries Halting Objective” Walkathon on Sunday, 8th February 2026, at Pondicherry Rock Beach, as part of the International Summit on Advanced Trauma Care (ISATC–2026).
The walkathon was conducted as a key public awareness initiative under ISATC–2026, emphasising road safety, accident prevention, and injury reduction. The event aimed to highlight that trauma and road traffic injuries are largely preventable through responsible behaviour, timely intervention, and community participation.
The programme was inaugurated by Dr. Rachna Singh, Superintendent of Police, Puducherry, in the presence of Dr. Jagdish Menon, Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, JIPMER and Chairman; Dr. Deep Sharma, Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, JIPMER. In her address Dr. Rachna Singh, SP participated in the walkathon and addressed the gathering, stressing the importance of road safety awareness, strict adherence to traffic rules, and collective responsibility in preventing road traffic accidents and saving lives.
Faculty members, healthcare professionals, nursing staff, students, and members of the public actively participated in the walkathon, with a total of about 800 participants joining the event, demonstrating strong community engagement in JIPMER’s accident and injury prevention mission. The walkathon served as an effective platform to sensitise the public on safe road practices and highlighted the critical role of prevention in reducing trauma-related morbidity and mortality.
Students from Subiksham Academy also actively participated in the walkathon, adding vibrancy and enthusiasm to the event. As part of the awareness initiative, the students created and displayed theme-based posters highlighting key road safety messages, which effectively drew the attention of the public. Their creative efforts helped communicate important safety practices in a simple and impactful manner, reinforcing the need for responsible road behaviour. The active involvement of school students underscored the significance of educating the younger generation and engaging them as ambassadors of road safety in the community.
The JAI-HO initiative forms an integral component of ISATC–2026, reflecting JIPMER’s comprehensive approach to trauma care that extends beyond hospital-based treatment to include injury prevention, public education, and community outreach. Through such initiatives, JIPMER continues to reinforce its commitment to improving public safety and strengthening trauma preparedness at the community level.
The walkathon concluded with a renewed call for sustained public participation in road safety initiatives, reinforcing the message that every accident prevented is a life protected.