SGPGIMS marks head injury awareness day with walkathon, rehab outreach

Lucknow: Combining prevention with post-injury care, SGPGIMS on Thursday marked World Head Injury Awareness Day with a walkathon and a specialised awareness programme, underlining that both road safety and early rehabilitation are key to reducing the burden of traumatic brain injuries (TBI).The department of neurosurgery organised a walkathon that saw participation from nearly 200 faculty members, residents, nursing staff, and students. The event was inaugurated by institute director Dr Radha Krishna Dhiman, who stressed the life-saving importance of helmet use, drawing from his own experience of a road accident. Addressing participants, Dr Arun Kumar Srivastava said nearly one million people suffer head injuries annually, with about half facing long-term disability, highlighting the urgent need for prevention. Dr Awadhesh Kumar Jaiswal cautioned against using mobile phones while driving, calling it a major risk factor. The walkathon proceeded to Vrindavan Gate, where participants, in collaboration with traffic police, distributed helmets to riders found without protective gear and rewarded rule-abiding commuters with roses. Parallelly, the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR) conducted a programme at the Apex Trauma Centre focusing on recovery and long-term care for TBI patients. The session brought together survivors, caregivers, and experts, emphasising a multidisciplinary approach to rehabilitation. "Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in improving functional outcomes and quality of life," said Dr Siddharth Rai, highlighting the growing burden of head injuries.