Lessons on basic life support should be made mandatory for laymen since it can help save many lives, Jacob Benjamin Koshy, chairman, State Human Rights Commission, has said.
He was speaking after inaugurating a function to mark the World Heart Day, organised here on Sunday by the Heart Care Foundation, Cardiological Society of India and Lissie Heart Institute.
The theme of this year's World Heart Day — One World, One Home, One Heart — could imply that taking care of our heart started from our own home, Mr. Koshy said.
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He dwelled on how preventive medicines could help bring down the cases of heart failures that had become a major cause of mortality in the country.
Award for anaesthetist
The lifetime achievement award instituted by the Heart Care Foundation was presented to K. Vinodan, chief anaesthetist at Medical Trust Hospital, for his services in cardiac surgeries.
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Anaesthetists were usually not recognised properly for their role in surgeries and the award brought to focus the major role they played in surgeries.
Earlier, Hridayasangamam 2011, was held in which patients who had undergone heart surgeries took part. Their doubts on their lifestyle after surgery were clarified by doctors.
Family members also participated in the discussion.
At the function, Jose Chacko Periappuram, chairman, Heart Care Foundation; Jabir Abdullakutty, secretary, Cardiological Society of India; and Fr. Paul Moonjely, director, Lissie Hospital, spoke.
The Lions Club also organised a Heart Day function.
Inaugurating the event, K. Babu, Minister for Excise, said that habits such as smoking and alcoholism, unhealthy food habits, and lack of exercise were the major causes that led to heart disorders. If these aspects in life were controlled, most of the hearts would be able to function more efficiently and for longer periods, he said.
The Lions Club organised road shows in more than 50 places across the Lions district to create awareness.
On Sunday, about 40 medical camps and a seminar were held in the district.
V. John from Muscat; Stigi Joseph, Little Flower Hospital, Angamaly; and N. Surendran, formerly attached to the General Hospital here, took classes.
Demonstration
A demonstration of Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation was held at the seminar after which a walkathon was held from Kacheripady Junction to Marine Drive.
Balloons with World Heart Day message were released.