DMC&H Organises Awareness Walkathon at PAU to Highlight Prematurity and ROP

Ludhiana, November 15, 2026: DMC&H, in collaboration with the National Neonatology Forum (NNF), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Project ROSHANI, organised an awareness Walkathon today at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, to spread awareness about premature births, the importance of healthy pregnancies, specialised care for premature newborns and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 800 people. The distinguished guests included Dr B.S. Dhillon, SDM, Ludhiana East; Rupinder Bhatti, ADCP (Investigations), Ludhiana; Dr Harvinder Singh Dhaliwal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU; and Mukesh Verma, Treasurer, DMC&H Managing Society. Also present were Dr G.S. Wander, Principal, DMC&H;Dr Bishav Mohan, Chief Cardiologist, Hero DMC Heart Institute; Dr Ashima Taneja, Additional Medical Superintendent, DMC&H;  Dr Priyanka Arora, Professor of Ophthalmology; Dr Kamal Arora, Professor of Paediatrics and Neonatologist, along with DMC&H faculty members, eminent Ophthalmologists and Pediatricians of the city, students and staff, entrepreneurs and prominent industrialists of Ludhiana.
The walkathon aimed to highlight the importance of preventing premature births through proper antenatal care, early identification and management of high-risk pregnancies, and raising awareness about Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), a potentially sight-threatening eye condition affecting premature babies. The initiative also emphasised the importance of timely ROP screening, early intervention and comprehensive neonatal care to ensure the best possible outcomes for these vulnerable newborns.
In his message, Bipin Gupta, Secretary, DMC&H Managing Society, congratulated the organising team for successfully conducting the awareness initiative. He appreciated the collective efforts of doctors, healthcare professionals and participants in bringing important maternal and neonatal health concerns into public focus.
Dr G.S. Wander, Principal, DMC&H, highlighted the advanced neonatal care facilities available at DMC&H, particularly its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), which provides specialised care to premature and critically ill newborns. He emphasised that timely medical intervention, advanced facilities and dedicated medical teams play a vital role in improving the survival and long-term health outcomes of premature babies.
Dr Ashima Taneja stressed the importance of healthy pregnancies, regular antenatal check-ups and early identification of complications. She highlighted the comprehensive facilities available at DMC&H for managing high-risk pregnancies, ensuring specialised maternal care and providing advanced treatment to newborns requiring intensive medical attention.
Dr Priyanka Arora, Professor of Ophthalmology, highlighted the importance of early screening, timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). She emphasised that timely screening and intervention are crucial to preventing avoidable blindness and preserving vision in premature babies.
Dr Kamal Arora, Professor of Paediatrics and Neonatologist, emphasised the importance of specialised neonatal care for premature babies. He highlighted the role of advanced NICU facilities, skilled neonatal teams, careful monitoring and timely medical intervention in improving survival and ensuring better long-term outcomes for preterm newborns.
One of the most heartwarming highlights of the event was a special stage performance by children who were once born prematurely and received care at DMC&H. Their presence and participation served as a powerful reminder of the remarkable journeys of premature babies and the importance of providing them with the right care and support from the very beginning.
Adding an element of excitement, five lucky participants were awarded bicycles through a lucky draw. Saplings were also distributed to every participant under the hospital's 'Save the Planet' initiative, encouraging everyone to contribute towards a greener and healthier environment.
The walkathon concluded with a powerful message on the importance of awareness about healthy pregnancies, prevention and care of prematurity, and timely screening for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). It reinforced the message that every healthy pregnancy matters, every premature baby deserves the best possible care, and collective efforts can help give every child a healthier start and a brighter future.
The walkathon was organised under the leadership of Dr Ashima Taneja, Dr Priyanka Arora and Dr Kamal Arora, with the dedicated efforts of Aakriti Khanna, Anushka Dalmia, Shradha Chawla, Arjun Sarin, Yuvraj Arora and Manas, along with the entire Project ROSHANI team.