The 25th MTNL Perfect Health Mela closed with the HCFI CSR Awards

The curtains came down on the Silver Jubileecelebrationsofthe MTNL Perfect Health Mela on Saturday with the valedictory ceremony.

The 5-day celebrations, which began on the 23rdculminated with the HCFI CSR awards followed by a scintillating performance by singer Shibani Kashyap and a fascinating illusion act by Mr Rahul Kharbanda.

The HCFI CSR Awards were presented to 10 corporate organizations in recognition of their contributions towards access to affordable healthcare.Two other awards presented during the valedictory ceremony were the HCFI Awards and the IMA NDB Doctor Awards in appreciation of the contributions of the medical fraternity.

This year the Mela focused on a very relevant theme “affordable healthcare” given the wide gap between the need and availability of efficient and cost-effective healthcare services in the country. Though paradoxically, India is fast becoming the hub of medical tourism ande-commerce.

The Mela was inaugurated by Shri Satyendra Jain, the Hon’ble Health minister, Govt. of Delhi at the Talkatora Indoor Stadium, New Delhi. A vocal performance by Padma Bhushan Pandit Chhannulal Mishra left all spellbound.

A National Campaign on Hands-only CPR10 was launched on the inaugural day in collaboration with Ministry of Youth Affairs, Government of India.

Insightful discussions were held in the Evening Conclaves on antimicrobial resistance, IVF, indoor pollution, safe water and air, harm reduction and non-communicable diseases.

Aone-of-its-kindSpiritual Inter-Faith Conferenceon air, sanitation and antimicrobial resistancewas also organized by HCFI along with the World Fellowship of Religions, in which eminent dharma Gurus of all religions participated as speakers. They took a pledge to spread the message about misuse of antibiotics “Saying no to self-antibiotics”and“To take antibiotics only when prescribed by the doctor” among their disciples.

There were lifestyle exhibitions, free health check-ups and consultations with all pathies under one roof, lectures, workshops and competitions ‘Harmony and EcoFest’ (inter-school competitions), National Youth Fest (inter-college competitions) and Anmol (for specially-abled children) all focusing on preventive health.

More than 7000 children from various schools and colleges participated enthusiastically in various on-the-spot competitions like Mehendi art, collage making, painting, and slogan writing.

Thefive-day event was organized jointly with the Health and Family Welfare Dept. NCT Delhi, MTNL, NDMC, MCD and other central and Delhi state government departments.

Dr Tusker, the friendly elephant was the mascot for the Mela.

In its long journey of 25 years, the Perfect Health Mela has been working towards its commitment of making India a healthier nation by creating mass awareness on all aspects of health among people from all walks of life using infotainment as a low-cost health education module.

I am extremely happy at the successful conclusion of the event and the huge participation.

I also take this opportunity to thank all who have been associated with us on this long journey and made it a fruitful one.

Dr KK Aggarwal

Padma Shri Awardee

President Elect Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania   (CMAAO)

Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications

President Heart Care Foundation of India

Immediate Past National President IMA

Welcome to the opening day of the 25th MTNL Perfect Health Mela

The 25th edition of the MTNL Perfect Health Mela opens today. The 5-day event is being held at the Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi from 8 am to 10 pm.

Shri Satyendra Jain Health Minister, Delhi Govt. will inaugurate the Mela. The inaugural function will be held today from 5 pm onwards.

The inauguration will be followed by a performance by Padma Bhushan awardee Pandit Chhannulal Mishra, a renowned exponent of Indian classical music.

The Mela would be graced by the presence of various Padma awardees. Among the Guests of Honor are Padma Vibhushan Dr Sonal Mansingh, Padma Vibhushan Dr Yamini Krishnamurthy; Padma Bhushan Saroja Vaidyanathan, Radha Raja Reddy and Shanno Khurana. The Padma Shri awardees are Bhajan Sopori, Bharati Shivaji, Ranjana Gauhar, Geeta Chandran and Kiran Segal.

Keeping with its tradition of creating health awareness through “infotainment”, the Mela has planned such activities for all five days of the event.

Administration of CPR by a layperson bystander (bystander CPR) is important in determining patient outcome after out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest. CPR 10 is a formula to help the public remember the process of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after sudden cardiac death. There is substantial evidence to suggest that CPR is effective in the first 10 minutes of cardiac arrest.

So, we created a CPR Formula of 10 which is “Within 10 minutes of death (earlier the better), at least for the next 10 minutes (longer the better, up to 25 minutes), compress the centre of the chest of the victim with a speed of 10×10 i.e. 100 per minute.”

Everyone should know CPR. Hands-only CPR 10 is easy to learn and easy to do. One does not need to be a doctor or be certified in this technique to do CPR.

A National Campaign on Hands-only CPR 10 will also be launched today (4 pm) in collaboration with Ministry of Youth Affairs, Govt. of India.

Another noteworthy event of the day is a Panel Discussion on Harm Reduction, where experts would discuss indoor air pollution, a very relevant public health issue today. Indoor air pollution is not discussed enough, but it can cause as much harm as outdoor air pollution, perhaps even more, as it can be up to 10 times worse than outdoor air pollution due to the greater concentration of pollutants in a contained space.

Enjoy the traditional Indian dances in ‘Heritage’, the festival that celebrates Indian classical dances. This year, Heritage will showcase Odissi, Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi.

Perhaps the biggest challenge that we face today is the rising burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). They are also called “lifestyle disorders”, which means they can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle.

Lifestyle disorders have their origin in childhood; hence, all lifestyle changes should start in schools.

Heritage, therefore, is not just an interschool dance competition; it is also an opportunity for children to learn the importance of physical activity to stay fit via the medium of dance.

Besides, physical health, dance also improves mental health. Music and dance shift one from the sympathetic (disturbed) to the parasympathetic (relaxed) state, which alleviates stress and anxiety. The parasympathetic state is healing and allows one to make better and correct, consciousness-based choices. Classical Indian dances are a mix of yoga, meditation, relaxation and exercise.

Other key activities scheduled for today include a workshop on Menstrual Hygiene (3-5 pm) and Emergency training drill (10 am -11 am) with live demonstration of a disaster scenario. Eco Club competitions on “Environment & Health” for schools and colleges will be held jointly with the Dept. of Environment & Forests, Delhi Govt.

This year different departments of the Govt. of India such as Dept. of Science & Technology, Ministry of Culture, Dept. of Handicrafts, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Dept. of Handicrafts & Handloom, RNCTP, NVBDCP are participating in the Mela.

Depts. of Delhi Govt. participating in the Mela are Dept. of Health and Family Welfare, Delhi Tourism & Transport Development Corporation, Dept. of Art, Language & Culture, Dept. of Environmen, Dept. of Forest & Wildlife, Dept. of Transport, Dept. of Women & Child Development, Directorate of Education and Maulana Azad Medical College.

No one can afford to miss this event…

Join us at the Perfect Health Mela for a fun-filled outing and also learn about preventive health care.

Dr KK Aggarwal

Padma Shri Awardee

President Elect Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania   (CMAAO)

Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications

President Heart Care Foundation of India

Immediate Past National President IMA