KMC Hospital Mangaluru Announces World Heart Day Walkathon 2026 to Promote Heart Health
Mangaluru: In observance of World Heart Day, KMC Hospital Mangaluru is proud to announce community-focused event aimed at promoting heart health and raising awareness about cardiovascular diseases. The hospital, will host “World Heart Day Walkathon 2026″ to encourage active and healthy lifestyles.
At KMC our mission extends beyond patient care within our walls. We are dedicated to creating awareness about critical lifestyle diseases. By hosting events like the walkathon we hope to engage the community directly and provide them with the knowledge and motivation to lead healthier lives. This is part of our ongoing commitment to making advanced healthcare accessible and fostering a healthier community in Mangalore. Our comprehensive cardiac care team consists of full time five cardiologists, three cardiac surgeons, an electrophysiologist, two cath labs, well trained technicians and highly skilled support staff.
The World Heart Day 2026 theme is “Don’t Miss a Beat”. This theme serves as a reminder to prioritize cardiovascular health by staying vigilant, getting regular check-ups, adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle, and taking action to prevent heart-related diseases. The increasing incidence of heart-related issues, particularly among the youth, is a serious concern. Lifestyle factors such as stress, lack of exercise, and unhealthy eating habits are major contributors.
KMC Hospital World Heart Day Walkathon 2026 will take place on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at 6:15 AM. Shri U T Khader Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka, will flag off the walkathon. The event will be attended by dignitaries including, Smt Geetha D Kulkarni ACP-City Crime Record Bureau, Mangalore City Police; Dr Dilip G Naik, Pro VC MAHE Mangalore Campus; Shri Anand Fernandes CEO EGDK India Pvt Ltd; the walkathon will begin at KMC Hospital, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Circle, and proceed through Balmatta Road- Taj Mahal -Milagres Church-IMA Hall – Attavar- SL Mathias Road and conclude at Marena Sports Complex, Kaprigudda, Mangaluru.
We have seen that citizens of Mangalore are increasingly aware of the importance of health and are adopting healthy lifestyles through regular health checks, exercise & conscious eating habits. I reiterate that staying healthy is a constant and continuous effort. KMC Hospital has been a pioneer in organising “Walk for Your Heart” walkathons for the last 21 years. This World Heart Day, we want to encourage people to influence their family and friends to adopt a healthy lifestyle. With this unique theme, we encourage everyone to bring their family members and loved ones to the walkathon. KMC Hospital is committed to keeping the community healthy.
These events are designed to be both fun and informative, motivating people to adopt simple, positive changes. Our goal is to make heart health a priority for everyone, and encourage people to be proactive about their well-being. Sakshi Christina Karkada, National Level Athlete will be the torchbearer for this walkathon. The winners of various competitions will be awarded during the valedictory program on 27th September 2026 at Marena Sports Complex.
Participants are encouraged to wear red. Various competition will be conducted as part of the event, and the participants can win exciting prizes in categories like Best Corporate/Group/Institution Participation, Most Enthusiastic Participant(s), Best Slogan shouting, and Best Placard. The walkathon will be followed by breakfast, with transportation provided from the endpoint back to the starting point. Last year we saw over 1000 people participate in the walkathon conducted by KMC Hospital, and we aim to exceed the number this year. To register for the event, WhatsApp your details to +91 90081 67071. Registration is free but mandatory.
Dr.Narasimha Pai, Head of Cardiology, Dr.Padmanabha Kamath, Senior Consultant Cardiologist, Dr.Maneesh Rai, EP Study Specialist, Dr.Harish Raghavan, Cardiac Surgeon, Dr.Madhav Kamath, Cardio Thoracic Surgeon; Dr Unnikrishnan B, Dean Kasturba Medical College Mangalore; Shri.Pramod Kunder, Cluster Director KMC Hospital were present at the occasion.