MUMBAI:NDTV in partnership with Fortis launched the ‘NDTV Fortis Health4U’ initiative today to urge people to take control of their health. Non-communicable diseases due to lifestyle patterns have almost doubled in the last decade compared to communicable diseases. Cardiovascular diseases amongst Indians have greatly increased and this campaign aims to promote HEALTHY LIVING as a way of life, raise awareness about TAKING HEALTH PRECAUTIONS to avoid adverse health issues by ACTING IN TIME. The campaign will also educate people about the importance of precautionary measures and train them in Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), to be prepared to handle cardiac emergencies which can occur at any time.
Cardiac diseases are claiming 3.5 times more lives than Cancer and are responsible for 3 times more deaths than Tuberculosis in India. NDTV Fortis Health4U campaign will not only focus on prevention and lifestyle modifications but will also educate people about how timely diagnosis and CPR training can help save lives.
Launched by Deepika Padukone, the event began with a panel discussion moderated by Vikram Chandra, Group CEO, NDTV and included eminent panellists such as Padmashri Dr. Ashok Seth, Chairman, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute (Delhi), Dr. Vivek Jawali, Chairman, Cardiovascular Sciences & Medical Advisory Council, Fortis Hospitals (Bengaluru), Dr. Prannoy Roy, Founder &Executive Co-Chairperson, New Delhi Television Limited, Mr. Malvinder Mohan Singh, Executive Chairman, Fortis Healthcare and Mr. Shivinder Mohan Singh, Executive Vice-Chairman, Fortis Healthcare.
Announcing the initiative, Dr. Prannoy Roy, Founder and Executive Co-Chairperson, New Delhi Television, said, “NDTV, is very excited to work with Fortis in a huge nationwide campaign aimed at improving the health of Indians – through greater awareness and by addressing some of the critical health concerns related to the heart. We hope that people benefit from this campaign and empower themselves to make better informed decisions on their health for life!”
Issuing a joint statement on the occasion Mr. Malvinder Mohan Singh, Executive Chairman, Fortis Healthcare, and Mr. Shivinder Mohan Singh, Executive Vice-Chairman, Fortis Healthcare, “Launching the campaign, Mr Malvinder Mohan Singh, Executive Chairman – Fortis Healthcare Ltd & Mr Shivinder Mohan Singh, Executive Vice-Chairman, Fortis Healthcare Ltd. , said, “As a nation, our attitude towards health is reactive in nature. The need of the hour is to shift the emphasis from ‘treatment’ to ‘prevention’. It requires a fundamental change in our collective mindset and behaviour, aimed at making every individual take ownership of her/his health.” The Health4U campaign attempts to make three levels of healthcare interventions in people’s lives: Focus on ‘Prevention’ and lifestyle modifications; Emphasis on early / timely diagnosis and Empower / Equip people to save lives through life-skill trainings such as CPR.”
As a part of the initiative and lead up to the World Heart Day on September 29, Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training sessions would be organised across multiple cities. These on-site camps will train and impart a life-saving skill that is essential for people to save a life.
Associating with the campaign, Dr. Ashok Seth, Chairman, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Chairman, Cardiology Council, Fortis Group of Hospitals Past President, Cardiological Society of India, Vice President, Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology, said, “India is the world capital of life style diseases where specifically heart disease has become the number one killer overtaking infections. It is envisaged that in another five years 50% of deaths from heart attack across the world will emanate from India. As nearly half of India’s population comprises of youth(less than 30 years), it is extremely worrying that in the next 25-years India is going to have an epidemic of coronary artery disease, heart attacks and deaths reaching gigantic proportion unless preventive measures are instituted. Approximately 50 lakhs people die of heart disease every year in India and 15 lakhs suffer a heart attack. Nearly one third of that die because of sudden cardiac arrests even before getting to the hospital. If basic resuscitation techniques are taught to the public, we could save 50% of these lives. Thus, the need of the hour is for the public and society to become a partner in controlling this disease epidemic and saving lives. This unique initiative of NDTV and Fortis Healthcare is an extremely important enabler.”
NDTV Fortis Health4U campaign will showcase stories of the myriad problems arising from neglecting early signs, ignoring routine check-ups; highlight stories of patients suffering from coronary heart disease and of those born with congenital heart defects. Success stories of recovery aimed at encouraging and counselling others would also be showcased.
“Contrary to what was believed in the past few decades; coronary heart disease is actually on the rise among the underdeveloped nations compared to the developed nations or the affluent population. Most of the modern epidemiological studies point in that direction”, opined Dr. Vivek Jawali, Chairman – Cardiovascular Sciences; Fortis Hospitals, Bangalore
“Fortis Hospitals in Bangalore have been imparting CPR training to the Karnataka police force and also the population at large, that has resulted in many lives being saved. The importance of learning these skills by those involved in public services is extremely important. Health4U campaign will serve as a platform to reach the masses, to make them aware of this life-skill as also train them to be able to save a life’ added, Dr Vivek Jawali.
