A Pioneering Effort in Collective Action to Fight NCDs – Arogya City Bengaluru Achieves Success

Posted on: December 19th, 2024 by Arogya World

Arogya City Bengaluru has achieved a significant milestone in combating Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Over the past two years, 22 dedicated Pledgemakers have reached over 1 million citizens through health interventions and education and helped them in meaningful ways.

At the 2024 Summit held on Dec 3 at Mount Carmel College, the initiative received high praise from several notable leaders. Shri Dinesh Gundu Rao, the Hon’ble Minister for Health & Family Welfare Government of Karnataka, endorsed the movement, stating: “Non-communicable diseases are growing rapidly across India, and tackling this epidemic one city at a time is a smart approach. The Government of Karnataka supports Arogya City’s vision of transforming Bengaluru into India’s first Arogya City. Achieving success requires an enlightened citizenry united for societal well-being. Our department, along with the BBMP, can collaborate with Arogya World to reach the city’s entire population, creating a replicable model for the rest of the country,

 

Her Highness Pramoda Devi said “Health and happiness are two important aspects of life which cannot be taken for granted. We should each take personal responsibility to stay healthy and active in this fast-disappearing joint family values and support system. The Arogya City Summit will be meaningful if all of us take personal responsibilities to maintain a healthy and joyful life. Will be happy to support if Arogya City can be extended to Mysore”. She gave away the trophies and all Pledgemakers were so happy to receive the trophy from a member of the royal family. Her presence meant a lot and she filled the room with grace and elegance.

Dr. Sudarshan Ballal, Chairman, of Manipal Hospitals was one of the guests of honor. He said – “Wellness, not illness, should be our focus. Preventive public health measures and lifestyle changes are key to combating non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Mantra for a Healthy Life according to Dr Ballal:

  1. Sugar – Control calories to prevent obesity and diabetes.
  2. Smoking – Avoid tobacco to prevent cancer and heart disease.
  3. Salt – Limit intake to avoid hypertension and kidney issues.
  4. Sedentary Lifestyle – Stay active; reduce screen time.
  5. Sleep – Aim for 8 hours of quality sleep.
  6. Sadness – Address mental health; avoid depression.
  7. Spirits – Limit alcohol consumption.
  8. Substance Abuse – Avoid harmful substances.

Dr. Devi Shetty, Chairman and Founder, of Narayana Health, reminded us about the power of prevention. “Many diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes are linked to lifestyle. Every adult should get an annual preventive checkup and know their numbers. Bengaluru can lead as India’s First City where everyone knows and improves their health numbers. Early lifestyle changes can reverse conditions like heart disease. Know your numbers, and take action to address them.”

The Summit was an extraordinary milestone for Arogya World, marked by an inspiring convergence of dignitaries who provided invaluable insights and motivation. A collective third-party report by Sattva showcased the achievements of the 2022 Pledgemakers, who impressively surpassed their goals, more than doubling their collective targets. Building on this momentum, nearly 40 new Pledgemakers have joined us to drive change over the next two years. We also unveiled the Playbook — a practical guide for replicating these efforts in other cities. December 3rd underscored the success of our collective action experiment, proving that this model works and can be expanded in Bangalore and beyond. This marks a thrilling chapter in our mission to spark widespread action against NCDs and scale our efforts to create healthier, thriving Arogya Cities.

We had incredible media coverage.

Check out top media coverage on this inspiring movement:

  1. Indian Express
  2. Bengaluru Now
  3. The Week
  4. Deccan Herald

 

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The Arogya City Summit concluded on a high note with an amazing drum jam (photo below).