GMC’s ‘Run for Stroke’ raises awareness on stroke prevention

Srinagar, Oct 28: In its efforts to address the causes of stroke, the Department of Neurology, Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar today organized a ‘Run for Stroke’ event. The 5-kilometer run, which aimed to raise awareness about the importance of an active lifestyle in preventing strokes, saw around 200 participants, including doctors, medical staff, and students from hospitals across Kashmir.

The event was flagged off at 7:30 am on the Foreshore Road by Director Health Services Kashmir Dr Jehangir Bakshi, GMC Srinagar Principal Prof Iffat Hassan Shah, Medical Superintendent Super Specialty Hospital Dr Rubeena Shaheen, and Head of Neurology Prof Bashir Ahmed Sanaie.

In tune with the theme of this year's World Stroke Day, ‘Greater Than Stroke’, the event underscored the critical role that lifestyle changes, especially regular physical activity, play in preventing strokes. World Stroke Day, observed globally on October 29, seeks to reduce stroke incidences through education and lifestyle awareness.

The ‘Run for Stroke’ brought together people associated with the medical profession in various capacities from Kashmir’s hospitals, with a good number of participants from the Super Specialty Hospital Shireen Bagh. Prof Sanaie while speaking about the run said, “This collective participation reflected the medical community's commitment to promoting preventive health measures among the public. As participants ran along the scenic Foreshore Road, they echoed the message that stroke prevention can be within everyone’s reach with simple but consistent lifestyle choices like regular exercise”. Prof Sanaie hoped that the people in Kashmir would take the message and adopt it in their lives. “Stroke is a reality that can kill, and leave a person disabled for life. But we can prevent it,” he said.