Jammu, Sept 08: In an effort to bring healthcare to the grassroots level, Dr. Sushil Sharma, Head of the Department of Cardiology at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) Jammu, organized a day-long cardiac awareness and health check-up camp at Shiv Mandir Panchayat Kangrail, Block Bhalwal. The camp aimed to educate the public on heart health and reduce the incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
During his interaction with the attendees, Dr. Sharma highlighted the alarming global rise in CVDs, which remain the leading cause of death worldwide. “An estimated 20.5 million people die from cardiovascular diseases every year, accounting for 32% of global deaths, with heart attacks and strokes responsible for 85% of these fatalities,” he stated. Dr. Sharma stressed the importance of addressing behavioral risk factors such as smoking, unhealthy diets, obesity, lack of physical activity, and excessive alcohol consumption, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to quality healthcare is limited.
The event focused on educating the public about preventive measures and the need for early detection. Dr. Sharma emphasized that while individual choices are critical, government policies and accessible healthcare systems also play a significant role in reducing CVD mortality. He called for a shift from reactive treatment to proactive prevention, stressing the importance of modifying risk factors and ensuring equitable healthcare for all.
Local leaders, including Dr. Shallu Sharma, Rajan Sharma, and Vishal Verma, lauded Dr. Sushil’s efforts to bring cardiac healthcare to the community. The camp, supported by a team of medical professionals including Dr. Yashwant Sharma and Dr. Dhaneshwer Kapoor, and assisted by paramedics and volunteers, provided free health check-ups and consultations to the attendees.
The initiative is part of Dr. Sharma’s ongoing campaign to raise awareness about heart health across Jammu, ensuring that even the most remote areas receive access to vital healthcare services.
