Bengaluru walks for better healthcare accessibility in India
A walkathon from Cubbon Park till Lalbagh main Gate, organized by India Health Progress and Peoples Education Society, was flagged off by Ms. Wanitha Ashok, fitness expert. Scores of students, teachers and NGO representatives, briskly strode the 3km stretch, to raise voice for better healthcare accessibility in India.
Volunteers carried placards with the messages: ‘Better Healthcare’, ‘Healthcare for All’, ’Raise your voice for a healthier future’ etc., aimed to sensitise key healthcare stakeholders and policymakers.
Given India’s enormous economic strides since the early 1990s, continued healthcare inaccessibility is particularly disappointing. Although around 70% of Indians live in rural and semi-urban areas, nearly 80% of healthcare facilities and medical personnel are based in cities and other urban centres.
Commenting on the healthcare awareness walkathon, Ms. Wanitha Ashok said,” People living is rural areas are naive and ignorant. Seeking medical care in cities will not only cost them money, but will also have no one to guide them properly. I am glad to be a part of this walkathon, which aims at sensitizing the society on the issue of lack of healthcare access. I wish Healthcare Access Week the very best, and hope that more and more people understand the need and support this cause.”
Prof. Murli Murthy, Peoples Education Society commented, “World Health Day was on April 7, and this walkathon is a great way to affirm the importance of this day. It is with pride that we at PESIT MBA announce the launch of our Marketing Club through this walkathon. We assure the people of Bangalore that they can expect many more such consciousness raising initiatives from our students in the months and years to come.”
The walk for healthcare accessibility was marked as closing ceremony to Healthcare Access Week, which began on 4th April 2011. The flagship events were held in Pune, Hyderabad and Mumbai, calling for action from all stakeholders, government, public and private sectors.
Mr. Aman Gupta, Principal Advisor India Health Progress stated, “The walk was initiated to sensitive the healthcare stakeholders, to raise their voice for better healthcare accessibility. It is a “Call for Action” for all the stakeholders, public and private sectors to address the issue of lack of access to healthcare and initiate required actions.”
At the end of the walk, participants signed on a white board and spread expressed their views on various initiatives for better healthcare practices.
About India Health Progress
India Health Progress is an initiative by Imprimis Life, a healthcare communications consultant with almost 12 years’ experience in the Indian healthcare sector. It seeks to bring all institutions and individuals committed to Indian healthcare under a common platform. The working model of India Health Progress will revolve around engaging partners in the healthcare industry, involving them in discussions around the identified aspects and resolving the setback by finding a solution. It will also focus on providing the resource and knowledge support to partnering organizations on the various critical issues related to healthcare. Visit: www.indiahealthprogress.in
