“YOUNGSTERS can play a crucial role in creating awareness among elders about the extraordinary care that their hearts need,” said Dr Jose Chacko Periappuram, chairman of Heart Care Foundation. He was delivering the keynote address at the inaugural function of Heart to Heart programme at VHSS, Panangad.
It was organised by Gopinatha Menon Educational Trust in association with Heart Care Foundation, Lakshmi Hospital and Inner Wheel Club of Cochin.
“To encourage the participation of youngsters in heart care we have created the heart band which can be worn by students.
The band will make them remind their parents about injurious practices like smoking. This timely and compulsive advice from their wards will certainly force parents to rethink their bad habits,” Dr. Jose said.
Earlier, UNESCO ambassador David Dabydeen inaugurated the programme. In his inaugural speech he stressed the need to create awareness among the public regarding the value of the heart. He tied a heart band on the wrist of an NCC cadet to mark the beginning of the campaign against heart disease.
Brian Liston, chairman of AIMA Group, London, urged the gathering to join hands with these NGOs and the students to fight against heart disease.
“This project aims to create awareness among the students and their parents regarding the care that the heart needs, said O G Sunil, managing trustee of Gopinatha Menon Educational Trust.
All the 2,500 students and their parents will come under the protective cover. They will be provided with free medical check up and other aid.
Dr Pramod Warrier of Lakshmi Hospital, Asha Sunil, president of Inner Wheel Club of Cochin, V M Lathika, principal, and A A Basheer, PTA president, spoke at the function.
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