West Bengal: Renowned Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr. Ardhendu Sekhar Pandit led a special walkathon at Teresa Hospital, Champadanga, bringing together recovered orthopaedic patients, clinicians and healthcare stakeholders to highlight improved mobility outcomes and the growing reach of advanced orthopaedic care in rural Bengal. The initiative underscored Dr. Pandit’s continued efforts to promote awareness, early intervention and patient-centric joint care beyond urban centres.
The walkathon saw enthusiastic participation from patients who have successfully recovered from various orthopaedic conditions. Walking alongside Dr. Pandit, many shared inspiring personal journeys of overcoming pain, regaining mobility and returning to active lives. The programme was attended by senior doctors, hospital leadership and representatives from Meril Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., reflecting a collaborative approach to strengthening quality orthopaedic care in the region.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Pandit stressed the importance of timely diagnosis and preventive care in managing arthritis and joint disorders. “Arthritis is not a standalone disease but a symptom influenced by multiple factors. With correct guidance, medication, physiotherapy and lifestyle modification, disease progression can often be delayed, and joint replacement advised only when truly necessary,” he said.
Dr. Pandit also highlighted advancements such as robotic-assisted knee and hip replacement surgeries, which offer greater surgical precision, faster recovery and improved long-term outcomes. He emphasised the crucial role of physiotherapy, regular exercise, calcium and vitamin D supplementation, and guided yoga in maintaining long-term joint health. He further noted that surgical treatments at Teresa Hospital are accessible through the Swastha Sathi Health Scheme and the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, enabling economically disadvantaged patients to receive advanced orthopaedic surgeries without financial burden.
Over the past one-and-a-half years, under Dr. Pandit’s leadership, Teresa Hospital has become a dependable orthopaedic care centre for surrounding rural communities, significantly reducing the need for patients to travel to Kolkata. The walkathon stood as a testament to accessible, advanced and compassionate orthopaedic care—validated most strongly by patient recovery stories themselves.
