Indus Valley Times

The year-long event across 13 cities aims to integrate spirituality with medicine

 By Prasan Paikaray

 Bhubaneswar, March 20: Following the resounding success of its earlier editions in Tirupati and Rishikesh, the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of ndia (FOGSI), in collaboration with UNICEF, has announced the expansion of the transformative ‘Aarogya Yog Yatra’ campaign to Odisha. Marking the third event in a series of thirteen planned across India, this initiative is the brainchild of Dr. Sunita Tandulwadkar, President of FOGSI.

Deputy CM Prabhati Parida attended the event and said, “I would like to thank FOGSI for choosing Odisha as one of the venues for the Aarogya Yog Yatra. I am happy to see the intersectionality of science and spirituality being used to cure diseases. The stress should now also be given to mental health.”

As India’s largest professional body, representing over 46,000 obstetricians and gynecologists, FOGSI remains dedicated to advancing women’s healthcare by seamles sly integrating India’s rich spiritual heritage with modern medical practices. Addressing the audience in Bhubaneswar, Dr. Sunita Tandulwadkar, President. FOGSI, stated,”Today, we are conducting a Continuing Medical Education (CME) session with gynaecologists, emphasizing spirituality in medicine. We will also release our thematic song Madhyam,’ highlighting spirituality in medical practice. Eight medical colleges across Odisha–from Bhubaneswar, Puri, Cuttack, and other districts–are actively participating in our ‘Know Your Numbers’ initiative. This campaign aims to educate women about essential health parameters, including weight, blood press ure, haemoglobin, and blood sugar levels and includes screening tests. I sincerely thank the heads of these eight medical colleges for their invaluable support in conducting this vital program. She further added,”Tomorrow morning, we willvisit Puri for a spiritual experience at the revered Jagannath Temple. Most importantly, I sincerely appreciate the tireless efforts of our Oris sa leaders, Dr. P.C. Mahapatra, Dr. Hara Pattnayak, Dr Janmejaya Mohapatra,Dr. Jayshree Pattnaik, Dr. Bhagya Lakshmi Nayak and their dedicated team, who have diligently prepared for the Aarogya Yog Yatra’s arrival in Odisha on March 19th and 20th. We are also honoured to welcome the Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha at our event. Dr. Brajesh Merta, Health Officer from UNICEF was also present. Aarogya Yog Yatra’ emphasizes holistic wellness and includes impactful projects such as:

The ‘Aarogya Yog Yatra’ campaign emphasizes holistic wellness through impactful initiatives, including Know Your Numbers, a nationwide health data campaign focused on capturing essential metrics such as weight, blood pressure, blood sugar, and haemoglobin levels to enable early detection and preventive care among women. Another key initiative is “Sampoorna: Swastha Janma Abhiyan,” a pre- conception care program designed to educate women on achieving optimal health parameters and responsible pregnancy planning, ultimately improving maternal and neonatal outcomes. Together, these initiatives underscore the campaign’s commitment to integrating traditional wisdom with modern healthcare practices, fostering a comprehensive approach to women’s wellness Dignitaries at the event commended Dr. Tandulwadkar’s dedication and the campaign’s potential to profoundly transform women’s health across India: Supported by National Convenors Dr. Jayam Kanan (Senior FOGSIAN), Dr. Ashwini Kale (Joint Secretary, FOGSI), and Dr. Palaniappan (Vice President, FOGSI), along with active participation from 20 committed FOGSI members nationwide, the magnitude of Dr. Tandulwadkar’s efforts continues to inspire healthcare professionals and communities alike. Upcoming events during the Yatra include CMEs and public forums advocating holistic healthcare practices, building upon the momentum generated at Tirupati and Rishikesh.