MAHE’s ‘Asare’ lends support in organizing National Health Fest for Divyangjan
Around 400 athletes participated from the Udupi district
Manipal, April 5, 2022: Asare-for Special Children, a Joint Project of Manipal Academy of Higher Education and Archana Trust and School, Rehabilitation Centre, Autism & Learning Disorder Division for Special Children, helped organise the National Health Fest for Divyangjan conducted by Special Olympics Bharat.
The Health Fest includes screening of athletes with intellectual disabilities from 5th to 7th April 2022.
Upholding the World Health Day and celebrating an Inclusive health week Special Olympics Bharath medically screened 75000 athletes, across 75 cities of India marking the 75 years of independence. Around 400 participants were present from the Udupi District.
Dr HS Ballal, Pro-Chancellor, MAHE, was the chief guest.
Prior to the event, 7500 clinical volunteers across the country were trained according to the Special Olympics guidelines, to carry out the screenings effectively. The Athletes were screened across Special Smiles (Dental) and Health Promotion (prevention & nutrition) all over India.
Speaking on the occasion Dr Ballal expressed happiness on lending support to the noble cause.
“People with intellectual disabilities can be prone to chronic health conditions, therefore regular screening is extremely important for them. The pandemic was a huge setback for the health and sports program, especially for Athletes with intellectual disabilities. Through our participation in this event, Asare and MAHE aim to bridge this gap and provide the necessary access to healthcare facilities, diet plans and health advisories to the athletes,” he said.
About Special Olympics Bharat
Special Olympics Bharat is a National Sports Federation accredited by Special Olympics Inc.USA, to conduct sports and development programs all over India. Special Olympics Bharat is registered with the Indian Trusts Act 1882 and is recognized by the Government of India as a National Sports Federation (since 2006) for the development of Sports for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities. Founded by Air Marshal Denzil Keelor PVSM, KC, AVSM, VrC, in 2001 it has over 1.5 million Athletes registered across all the States and Union Territories of India.
Special Olympics is a global inclusion movement using sport, health, education and leadership programs every day around the world to end discrimination against and empower people with intellectual disabilities. Founded in 1968 by Ms Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown to more than 6 million athletes and Unified Sports partners in more than 190 countries. Special Olympics works through seven regions, out of which India falls under the Asia Pacific Region. In the Asia Pacific region, Special Olympics has touched the lives of more than 1.7 million athletes across 35 countries.
