Sri Ramakrishna Hospital, Coimbatore, inaugurated its World Heart Day 2026 – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Awareness Programme on September 29, 2026, at 9.00 AM near CSI Church, Race Course, Coimbatore, marking the beginning of a week-long public awareness initiative from September 29 to October 4, 2026.
The programme was inaugurated in the presence of Dr. Sundar Ramakrishnan, Managing Trustee, Sri Ramakrishna Hospital, and Thiru. Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar, I.A.S., District Collector, Coimbatore, along with the hospital’s senior management and medical leadership, including C.V. Ramkumar, Chief Executive Officer, D. Mahesh Kumar, Chief Administrative Officer, Dr. S. Rajagopal, Medical Director, and Dr. S. Alagappan, Medical Superintendent.
Organised in association with Dr T K Saravanan Founder & Chairman - First Heart Foundations Network, the initiative is being conducted as part of World Heart Day under the theme “Don’t Miss a Beat.” The programme aims to create greater public awareness about sudden cardiac arrest, the importance of recognising cardiac emergencies promptly, and the potentially life-saving role of immediate CPR.
As part of the inaugural programme, students from Allied Health Sciences (AHS) presented a mime and an awareness skit highlighting the importance of CPR. Through their performances, the students demonstrated how timely recognition of sudden cardiac arrest and immediate initiation of CPR can make a crucial difference during a cardiac emergency. The presentations conveyed the life-saving message of CPR in an engaging and easily understandable manner and reinforced the need for greater public preparedness.
The week-long CPR awareness activities will be conducted at several prominent public locations across Coimbatore, including Race Course, Coimbatore International Airport, Coimbatore Railway Station, Semmozhi Poonga, Broadway, Fun Mall and PRS Ground. By taking CPR awareness directly to high-footfall public spaces, the initiative seeks to educate and engage people from different sections of the community. Trained students from Sri Ramakrishna Institute of Paramedical Sciences will actively volunteer throughout the programme, demonstrating basic CPR techniques and guiding members of the public through hands-on awareness sessions.
The programme focuses on helping members of the public understand the basic principles of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and the importance of acting quickly when a person experiences sudden cardiac arrest. Immediate CPR can help maintain blood circulation to the brain and other vital organs until professional emergency medical assistance becomes available.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sundar Ramakrishnan, Managing Trustee, emphasised the importance of extending essential life-saving awareness beyond hospital premises and into the community. He highlighted that greater awareness and basic knowledge of CPR can help individuals respond more confidently during emergency situations at home, workplaces or public places.
Sri Ramakrishna Hospital continues to strengthen cardiovascular care through its Departments of Cardiology and Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery, supported by specialised emergency cardiac services, experienced clinical teams, advanced technology and multidisciplinary care.
The hospital is recognised as the First Hospital in Tamil Nadu with a Comprehensive Chest Pain Center accredited by the American Heart Association, reflecting its structured and coordinated approach to the timely evaluation and management of patients presenting with chest pain and suspected acute cardiac conditions.
Through this World Heart Day initiative, Sri Ramakrishna Hospital and First Heart Foundations Network aim to build a more informed and emergency-ready community by encouraging people to understand the importance of early recognition, prompt response and CPR during sudden cardiac emergencies.
The week-long campaign will continue across Coimbatore until October 4, 2026, carrying forward the message “Don’t Miss a Beat” and reinforcing the hospital’s commitment to advancing cardiac care, public health awareness and community preparedness.