Despite massive health awareness campaigns being undertaken by the government and corporate companies, many life-threatening diseases continue to plague the society and the rapid changes in the lifestyle is to blame for it, Apollo Hospitals Group chairman Pratap C. Reddy has said.
Addressing the youth clubs and villagers during the launch of the campaign titles ‘Total Health’ at Aragonda near Chittoor on Sunday, Mr. Reddy said the Apollo Group has embarked on an ambitious plan to introduce sports and games for students at schools, colleges, youth and people of all ages in rural areas to check the prevalence of ailments such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity.
“As part of the ‘Total Health’ initiative, a number of youth groups are taking part in sports activities in rural areas,” he said.
Yoga classes
Mr. Reddy maintained that sports and games which have been organised in Thavanampalle mandal of Chittoor district since 2013 would be extended all over the State in a phased manner. He also sought the cooperation of the youth and students to join the awareness campaign in their respective villages to educate people from diabetes and hypertension. “Apart from promoting sports and games, the Total Health teams are also conducting Yoga training classes in many villages in Chittoor district,” he said.
Mr. Reddy further said that the Apollo Hospitals would focus more on mobile and satellite clinics, designated microscopic centres, health camps at schools and cancer screening, setting up of nutrition centres, provision of safe drinking water and promoting skill development centres in rural areas.
Later, Dr. Reddy, along with Total Health chief advisor Mandeep Singh, distributed mementoes and prizes to the winners of cricket, volleyball, kabaddi matches, athletic events and yoga teams organised as part of the annual tournament of Dr. Pratap Reddy Sports Academy. About 400 youth from all over Thavanampalle mandal were present.
