Karachi celebrates World Heart Day with cycling, building illuminations


IV Report                             

KARACHI: World Heart Day (WHD) 2024 celebrations concluded on September 29 with a flurry of activities highlighting cardiovascular disease prevention and promoting healthy lifestyles under the theme "Use heart for action."

The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) organised a "World Heart Day Ride" on September 29, led by Dr Saulat Fatimi, Head of Cardiothoracic Surgery. In collaboration with Docs on Wheels, the event drew 600 cyclists, including students, doctors, nurses, hospital leadership, and civil society members. The ride aimed to raise heart health awareness, covering a route from Karsaz Road to Shahrah-e-Faisal, Drigh Road, and back to the AKU campus.

Dr Fatimi emphasised, "Around half of people with heart diseases are diagnosed after death. Our goal is to create awareness about heart care and regular checkups through events like mini-marathons and cycling."     

Illuminating Landmarks: 

The National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) illuminated its building in red on September 28 to commemorate WHD, symbolising its commitment to raising awareness. Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad, NICVD Executive Director Professor Tahir Saghir, and JSMU Vice Chancellor Professor Amjad Siraj Memon led the lighting ceremony.

The lighting ceremony was followed by an awareness walk at the heart hospital premises, encouraging the public to adopt heart-healthy habits. Dignitaries emphasised proactive measures to prevent heart disease, including a healthy diet, regular exercise, and avoiding harmful habits like smoking.

Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU) also symbolically lit its main campus building red to mark the beginning of WHD.


With an uninterrupted 23-year career in daily journalism (1991-2013), the author/editor of this blog currently serves as Editor of Social Track, a weekly newspaper focused on social sectors, based in Karachi. Holding a master's degree in Mass Communications from the University of Karachi (1990), his professional experience includes roles as senior reporter at Daily Dawn, Karachi (May 2001-August 2013) and Chief Reporter at The News International, Karachi (April 1991-May 2001). He has a strong background in development journalism, he has an extensive portfolio of news stories, analytical reports and features covering a wide range of sectors. He has had the privilege of covering numerous high-profile figures, including Pakistani presidents, prime ministers, army chiefs, foreign dignitaries, and VVIPs and attending conferences and workshops abroad. He began his journalism career in the early 1980s. Throughout his career, he has received several national awards from government and private organisations. He has contributed to various radio and TV/channel broadcasts and has also served as a trainer at workshops in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, focused on training journalists.

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