Apollo's 'Dil ki Daud' Inaugurated by Union Sports Minister

NEW DELHI, October 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Run for Healthy Heart Organized by Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals and Supported by the Billion Hearts Beating Foundation Attracts More Than 2,000 Participants

In association with the Billion Hearts Beating Foundation, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals organised a 5-km run titled 'Dil ki Daud'. In the wee hours of Sunday, more than 2,000 people participated in the 5-km run, which kicked off at 6:45 am. India's first blade runner and Kargil War amputee hero Retd. Major Devender Pal Singh - also participated in order to encourage the runners for a healthy living.

Organized to spread awareness about heart diseases, it aimed to bring people together and motivate the community to take the necessary steps towards a healthy lifestyle. The healthy heart run witnessed enthusiastic participation from school and college students, RWA members, various corporate houses, delegates from embassies, the staff of Apollo Hospitals as well as other citizens.

Mr Jaideep Gupta, Managing Director, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, said, "Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals has always promoted initiatives that foster healthy living. The objective behind supporting such a run is to spread awareness about the tangible benefits of exercise and encourage positive action. This is the third consecutive year that we have organised the run to promote healthy living and we are overwhelmed by the response and support from residents of neighbouring colonies, school and college students as well as our staff."

The biggest killer in urban India today, heart disease kills about 12 million people every year. According to the WHO, while the rest of the world enters the heart attack zone at around 55 years, Indians become susceptible at as early as 35 years of age. Heart disease and stroke are the world's leading cause of death, claiming 17.3 million lives annually, with the numbers rising year on year. By 2030, it is expected that 23 million people will die annually due to cardiovascular diseases. "The Billion Hearts Beating" campaign is a crusade to reverse this global menace.

In order to address this concern, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals brought together about 2,000 people from New Delhi and the NCR, which included areas such as Defence Colony, GK-I, Ashram, Friends Colony, New Friends Colony, Sarita Vihar, Jasola Vihar, Sukhdev Vihar, Jamia, and adjoining places. A dedicated team of doctors was present throughout the run to provide first aid and offer suggestions on how to maintain a healthy heart and body. The winners were presented with medals, while all finishers received certificates.

About Apollo Hospitals:

In 1983, Dr Prathap C Reddy, the architect of Indian healthcare, launched the first corporate hospital in India, Apollo Hospitals Chennai. Over the years, Apollo Hospitals Group has grown to become one of Asia's largest integrated healthcare organizations with over 8,500 beds across 50 hospitals, more than 1350 pharmacies and over 100 diagnostic clinics. The Group also offers medical business process outsourcing services, health insurance services and clinical research divisions with a focus on epidemiological studies, stem cell research and genetic research. To develop talent for the burgeoning need of superior healthcare delivery, Apollo Hospitals Group has 11 nursing and hospital management colleges. These achievements have earned Apollo Hospitals Group several accolades, including the Centre of Excellence from the Government of India and recognition from the Joint Commission International (seven of our hospitals are JCI accredited). In a rare honour, the Government of India issued a commemorative stamp in recognition of Apollo's contribution, the first for a healthcare organization. Apollo Hospitals Chairman, Dr Prathap C Reddy, was conferred with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan, in 2010. Apollo Hospitals Group, for over 28 years, has continuously excelled and maintained leadership in medical innovation, world-class clinical services and cutting-edge technology. Our hospitals are consistently ranked amongst the best hospitals globally for advanced medical services and research.

For more information, please visit: www.apollohospitals.com

For further information on this news release, please contact:

Isha Raj, Imprimis PR,  iraj@imprimispr.com, +91-9711348461

Primary Media Contact: Ms Parul Chhabra, parul_c@apollohospitals.com, 91-9810855410

Secondary Media Contact: Ms Kusum Sahijpal, kusum_s@apollohospitals.com, 91-9999973090