Shri Kamlesh Kumar Gupta (IRS), Commissioner, CGST Audit, Navi Mumbai & Raigad, graced the event as chief guest. With over three decades of experience in public service and administration, his journey reflects the values of discipline, commitment and lifelong learning, making his presence at The Freedom Walk an inspiration for senior citizens embracing an active and healthy lifestyle. The inauguration was also attended by Dr Ashutosh Pandey, Facility Director, clinicians, administrators and support staff.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Kamlesh Kumar Gupta, (IRS), Commissioner, CGST Audit, Navi Mumbai & Raigad, said, “Fitness and discipline are values that stay with us throughout life. My years in public service have reinforced the importance of consistency, resilience and taking responsibility for one’s well-being. Initiatives like The Freedom Walk are a wonderful reminder that staying active and healthy enables senior citizens to continue contributing meaningfully to society.”
Designed around the idea that mobility is an important form of independence, the walkathon encouraged older adults to embrace regular physical activity at a pace suited to their comfort. Participants could choose between 3km and 5km routes, both beginning and concluding at Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi.
The event also received community participation from the Rotary Club of Navi Mumbai and Adhata Trust. It featured Zumba and guided warm-up and warm-down sessions to help participants prepare for and recover safely from the walk.
Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi deployed a 65-member medical team comprising 30 doctors, paramedics and physiotherapists, along with 35 nurses. Safety measures included physiotherapy stations, mobile medical teams and pre- and post-event health checks for participants.
Beyond physical activity, the walkathon served as a preventive health touchpoint, providing participants access to health screenings and consultations with specialists including Dr. Sourabh Kulkarni, Director & HOD-Orthopedics & Joint Replacement, Dr. Soumyan Dey, Director-Urology & Uro-Oncology and Dr. Prashant Bhamare, Director-Obstetrics & Gynecology.
The consultations addressed key aspects of senior health, including bone and joint care, urology, women’s health and other age-related concerns. Through the initiative, the doctors aimed to encourage early identification of potential health risks, provide timely guidance and empower seniors to remain active, healthy and independent.
At the initiative, Dr. Sourabh Kulkarni, Director & HOD – Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, said, “Maintaining mobility is one of the most important aspects of healthy ageing. Staying active within one’s comfort level and seeking timely medical advice can help seniors preserve movement, balance and confidence, allowing them to continue their daily activities independently.”
Highlighting the importance of preventive care for age-related health concerns, Dr. Soumyan Dey, Director – Urology & Uro-Oncology, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Navi Mumbai, said, “Many urinary health concerns among older adults tend to be ignored or discussed only when symptoms become severe. Creating an accessible platform where seniors can interact with specialists encourages early diagnosis and timely care, which can significantly improve comfort and overall well-being.”
Further emphasising the need for proactive healthcare among senior women, Dr. Prashant Bhamare, Director – Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, added, “Preventive consultations provide an opportunity to identify age-related health concerns early and enable seniors to continue leading active, healthy and independent lives. Encouraging open conversations around health is an important step towards improving overall well-being among older adults.”
Reflecting on the hospital’s role in community health efforts, Dr. Ashutosh Pandey, Facility Director, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, said, “For close to two decades, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital has been a part of this community, and the patients we've served over the years have shaped how we think about their evolving healthcare needs. Healthy ageing is not only about managing illness; it is equally about preserving mobility, confidence and independence for as long as possible. It is this understanding of our senior patients that prompted The Freedom Walk, an opportunity to encourage them to make movement a regular part of their lives while also connecting with specialists in an accessible and comfortable setting. The response to the initiative has been encouraging and reinforces the need for more community-led preventive health programmes for our seniors.”
By bringing together fitness, preventive healthcare channels and community engagement outside the conventional hospital setting, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, reinforced its commitment towards promoting healthy ageing and empowering senior citizens to take charge of their well-being.
Fortis Healthcare Limited is a leading integrated healthcare delivery service provider in India. The healthcare verticals of the company primarily comprise hospitals, diagnostics and day care specialty facilities. Currently, the company operates 36 healthcare facilities, including JVs and O&M facilities, across 12 states and union territories. The company’s network comprises over 6,000 operational beds, including O&M beds, and 400 diagnostics labs.
IHH Healthcare (IHH) is a leading multinational healthcare provider shaping the future of care. Driven by its aspiration to Care. For Good., it unites medical excellence and innovation through trusted brands such as Acibadem, Gleneagles, Fortis, Island, Mount Elizabeth, Pantai, Parkway and Prince Court. Across 10 countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, Türkiye, India and Greater China, its 70,000-strong team delivers world-class excellence within and beyond its 140 healthcare facilities, including more than 80 hospitals. Its comprehensive services span the full healthcare continuum, from primary and ambulatory to quaternary care, complemented by diagnostics, imaging, rehabilitation, telehealth and home care. In partnership with its stakeholders, IHH is advancing value-based care, building a sustainable healthcare ecosystem and creating meaningful impact as it works towards its vision to become the world’s most trusted healthcare services network.
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