Hyderabad, Sep 28: From Charminar, CARE Hospitals, Nampally, issued a call to people across India ahead of World Heart Day: “It’s Time to Move On” from habits that harm the heart. The awareness walkathon, held on Monday, brought together community members, students, doctors and hospital staff to encourage physical activity, healthier food choices and regular health checks. Around 300 people participated.
The walkathon was part of CARE Hospitals’ “Time to Break Up” campaign, which encourages people to address smoking, frequent junk food, prolonged sitting, poor sleep and skipped health checks.
Mir Zulfeqar Ali, MLA, Charminar constituency, attended as Chief Guest. Syed Sohail Quadri, Corporator, Charminar, and Mir Motesham Ali, Mr. World, joined as Guests of Honour. Dr Shashikanth, HCOO, CARE Hospitals, Nampally; Dr Aman Salwan, Sr. Consultant and Interventional Cardiologist; and Dr Ashish Mathur, Medical Superintendent, Dr Ritesh, Senior Consultant – Emergency Medicine, Husammuddin Siddique, President – Mehar Organization; Santosh Shukla, Head – Sales & Marketing, participated alongside other senior doctors and hospital staff.
Mir Zulfeqar Ali, MLA, Charminar constituency said,
“From Charminar, I want to urge people across Hyderabad and Telangana to take their heart health seriously. We often speak about heart disease only after someone in the family falls ill. It is time to break up with unhealthy habits, especially frequent junk food, and make room for physical activity and healthier meals. I also urge people to go for regular health check-ups, even when they feel well. I appreciate CARE Hospitals for bringing this important message to the community.”
Syed Sohail Quadri said,
“Charminar is a place that brings people together, making it a fitting starting point for this message. Seeing students, residents and doctors walk together shows how the community can encourage healthier living. I appreciate CARE Hospitals for organising this initiative and hope families take its message home with them.”
Mir Motesham Ali said,
“Building a healthy body starts with what we eat and how regularly we move. You do not have to be a bodybuilder to take care of your health. Pay attention to your diet and make time for at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. Small steps, done consistently, can help you feel stronger and healthier.”
Dr Aman Salwan said,
“People can feel healthy while high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol remain undetected. Waiting for symptoms can mean missing an opportunity to act early. Walking regularly, choosing healthier food and avoiding tobacco are practical steps. People should also know their blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and ask their doctor which checks are right for them.”
Dr Shashikanth, HCOO, CARE Hospitals, Nampally, said,
“We held this walkathon at Charminar so its message could travel beyond the people who joined us today. Through ‘Time to Break Up’, we are asking families across India to identify one unhealthy habit and take a practical first step to change it. World Heart Day can start that conversation, but healthier choices need to continue throughout the year.”
The walkathon concluded with a call to carry the message from Charminar into homes and neighbourhoods across the state: move more, choose healthier habits and make time for regular health checks.