Dr Sushil leads cardiac awareness camp, stresses screening

Jammu, Jan 21: Dr Sushil Sharma, Head of the Department of Cardiology at GMCH Jammu, continued his tireless efforts to screen and educate the masses at the grassroots level and to provide healthcare at every doorstep.
He organized a day-long cardiac awareness cum health check-up camp at village Rohi Morh, Tehsil Gadi Garh, Jammu, in memory of the late Yashpal Sharma, a visionary and philanthropic figure in the Pir Panjal area. Yashpal Sharma dedicated his time to uplifting the downtrodden sections of society, particularly in health and education.
Dr Sushil, reflecting on the contributions and rich legacy of Yashpal Sharma, highlighted the complex and multidimensional nature of cardiovascular mortality trends. He emphasized the need to address disparities in access to basic primary care, treatments to modify cardiovascular risk factors, and challenges with social determinants. “There is a need for a focus on risk factor modifications, patient engagement, correct diagnosis, adherence to treatments, and better utilization of supportive services to ensure equitable and affordable cardiac healthcare,” he said.
The doctor pointed out that cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading global cause of death, with over three-quarters of CVD deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Prevention measures include addressing behavioral risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet, obesity, physical inactivity, and harmful alcohol use. He stressed that people in these countries often lack access to effective and equitable healthcare services, resulting in late detection and premature deaths.
While acknowledging the significant progress in addressing CVD over the past half-century, Dr Sharma highlighted the persistent challenges. He advocated for a shift towards more upstream prevention, citing examples like a 10% increase in hypertension treatment that could prevent 14,000 deaths annually. Non-healthcare interventions, such as antismoking campaigns and public health policies, also contribute to cardiovascular health.
Prominent members of the area, including Sunny Sharma, Manohar Lal, Babu Ram, Vijay Sharma, Vicky Soodan, Dushyant Sharma, and Vicky Sharma, expressed their appreciation for Dr Sushil and his team’s efforts in organizing the cardiac awareness cum health check-up camp. Dr Yashwant Sharma and Dr Dhaneshwer Kapoor, along with paramedics and volunteers, were also part of the initiative, contributing to its success.