New Delhi: Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI), a leading national non-profit organization committed to making India a healthier and disease-free nation flagged off its annual flagship event – the 25th MTNL Perfect Health Mela (PHM) today. The theme of the Silver Jubilee edition of the Mela is ‘Affordable Healthcare’ and it promises to be bigger and better with various new additions. The PHM is being held from 23rd to 27th October 2018 from 8 am to 10 pm at the Talkatora Indoor Stadium, New Delhi.
Dignitaries present at the event included Dr Ravi Wankhedkar National President IMA, Dr R N Tandon HSG IMA, S P Rai, Executive Director MTNL, Nisha Mendiratta DST, Nalini Kamalini, and J K Jain CMD Dasnac, apart from a galaxy of Padma Awardees in the field of Performing Arts.
Dr Tusker, the friendly elephant, is the mascot for the event. Among the new additions to the Mela this year are the HCFI CSR Awards and the Everyday Mela. Free medical check-ups will be provided to all visitors. Free ECGs are done for every visitor by Agatsa and free monitoring is being done by Every Well. LG electronics is spreading awareness on air pollution.
In its 25th edition, the event is being organized in association with MTNL, NDMC, and other Central and Delhi State Government departments. Started in 1993, the Perfect Health Mela caters to people from all age groups and all walks of life. It showcases activities across categories such as health education seminars, check-ups, entertainment programmes, lifestyle exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and competitions. The Mela is attended by over 200 organizations each year including those from the state and central government, PSUs, and leading corporates.
Speaking at the inauguration, Padma Shri Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal, President of HCFI, said:
“It is extremely heartening to flag off the 25th edition of the Perfect Health Mela. This year the Mela focuses on a highly relevant theme, that of affordable healthcare. There is a wide gap between the need and availability of efficient and cost-effective healthcare services in the country. While on the one hand, India is fast becoming the hub of medical tourism and e-commerce, on the other, critical healthcare including essential medical assistance is still out of reach for millions in the rural areas and the suburbs. There is a need to ensure that every Indian citizen gets access to affordable healthcare irrespective of their standing in the society. This year, the Mela promises to be bigger, better, and more exciting for everyone as we have introduced many new features.”
Various competitions also kick-started on day one and witnessed participation by about 45 schools and colleges. An added attraction was a cultural programme by the Sahitya Kala Academy. The large gathering on the first day itself is proof the popularity of the Mela among the young and old alike.
Sanjeev Khirwar Secretary health, Dr Kirti Bhushan DGHS Delhi and Dr P K Sharma MOH NDMC also spoke on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Padma Bhushan Awardee Channulal Mishra said,
“I am happy to see that the Mela is also using dance as a medium to create awareness on health. Dance is an expressive and powerful medium and I am sure it will be interesting for both students and the general public. In today’s age, it is important to accord utmost priority to one’s health failing which we can become prone to many lifestyle conditions. I am happy to be a part of this event and congratulate the organizers.”
Padma Shri Awardee Shri Ashok Chakradhar, Hindi Poet, Rajendra Prasanna, notable flute player and Ms Anita Singh in a joint statement opined, “Young children and adolescents are the future of our country. Educating them about the benefits of prevention right at the outset can go a long way in ensuring good health for them and the nation at large. The Perfect Health Mela is one of the most positive steps towards this and I wish this event and its organizers all the best.”
Apart from various competitions, exhibitions, etc., the Mela this year will witness the HCFI CSR Awards to be organized for the very first time. The awards aim to honour efforts by corporate organizations in the area of affordable healthcare. PHM will also offer the unique opportunity to network with organizations including those from the state and central government, PSUs, and leading corporates. Financial and technical assistance will be provided by the Sameer Malik Heart Care Foundation Fund for heart patients who cannot afford treatment.
