In observance of International Women’s Day and Endometriosis Awareness Month, Rao Hospital, one of the city’s leading women and children’s healthcare providers, organized the 3rd Edition of Rao Hospital EndoMarch 2026 - 5 km Walkathon on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at the hospital premises in RS Puram.
The annual initiative continues to serve as an important platform to raise awareness about endometriosis and women’s health, while also marking the third year of the hospital’s dedicated Centre for Endometriosis - the Foundation for Endometriosis and Menstrual Disorders (FEM-I). Over the past three years, FEM-I has successfully performed more than 150 surgeries under the expertise of Dr. Damodar Rao, Senior Consultant Gynaecological Laparoscopic Surgeon and Endometriosis Excision Specialist, bringing specialized care to women suffering from the condition and significantly improving their quality of life.
The walkathon was flagged off by the Chief Guest, K K Nandhan - Inspector of Police, B2-Police station, R.S.Puram who commended the hospital’s efforts in creating awareness about women’s health issues and encouraged the public to support initiatives that promote early diagnosis and treatment.
With over 750 participants, including healthcare professionals and members of the public from various walks of life, the event turned out to be a grand success, bringing the community together to support the cause. Participants joined the 5 km walkathon, receiving event T-shirts, finisher medals, and certificates. The program began with an energetic Zumba warm-up, followed by the walk, and concluded with a cool-down session and fun games with prizes, fostering a strong spirit of unity while highlighting the importance of recognizing and addressing endometriosis. As a special highlight, select walkathon winners were announced during the event, much to the delight of the participants.
Smt. Vanathi Srinivasan, National President – Mahila Morcha, BJP and MLA, graced the event as the Guest of Honour. She was felicitated during the program and addressed the gathering on the importance of women’s empowerment, health awareness, and the need for collective efforts to support women’s wellbeing.
On the occasion, ARFC Dr. Leema Rose, AG District 3206, Rotary Aakruti Club of Coimbatore, was also felicitated in recognition of her dedicated service to the community and contributions to social welfare initiatives.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Asha Rao, Managing Director and Chief Consultant – Fertility & ObGyn, Rao Hospital, highlighted the importance of raising awareness about Endometriosis. “Endometriosis is a chronic and often debilitating condition that affects millions of women worldwide, with nearly 1 in 10 women suffering from the condition. It impacts not only their physical health but also their daily lives, fertility, and emotional well-being. Unfortunately, many women continue to suffer for years before receiving a proper diagnosis. Through initiatives like EndoMarch, our aim is to raise awareness, encourage early diagnosis, and ensure women have access to specialized care. At Rao Hospital, through our dedicated FEM-I centre, we remain committed to providing advanced treatment and improving the quality of life for women affected by this condition.” she said.
Rao Hospital continues to remain at the forefront of women’s healthcare and advocacy, organizing impactful initiatives like EndoMarch to bring attention to important women’s health issues and promote better access to care.
For more information about Rao Hospital’s initiatives or to schedule an appointment with the FEM-I Centre, please call 0422-4048888.