World Anaesthesia Week Celebration: Walkathon and Public Awareness Initiative at IGGMC, Nagpur
Nagpur, 13 October 2026: As part of the World Anaesthesia Week celebrations, the Department of Anaesthesiology, Indira Gandhi Government Medical College (IGGMC), in collaboration with the Society of Anaesthesiologists Maharashtra State (SAMS) and the Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists, Nagpur City Branch (ISANCB), organized a walkathon to raise public awareness about anaesthesia and the vital role of anaesthesiologists.
The walkathon commenced at the casualty department, proceeded towards the surgical complex, and concluded at the Dean’s office. The initiative highlighted the importance of anaesthesia and the wide-ranging responsibilities of anaesthesiologists in patient care and medical services.
Public Awareness About Anaesthesia and the Role of Anaesthesiologists
As part of the awareness initiative, Dr. Shelgaonkar gave a television interview highlighting the importance of anaesthesia and the diverse roles of anaesthesiologists in modern healthcare.
The interview covered several important topics, including Compression-Only Life Support (COLS), the Pancharakshak campaign, and the role of anaesthesiologists in operating theatres (OTs) and labour rooms, including painless delivery.
Dr. Shelgaonkar also discussed the contribution of anaesthesiologists to cancer pain management, oxygen plant services, and healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their essential role in supporting diagnostic and interventional procedures such as CT, MRI, DSA, and endoscopy was also highlighted.
The walkathon and television interview served as important public awareness initiatives during World Anaesthesia Week. Through these activities, IGGMC, SAMS, and ISANCB emphasized the significance of anaesthesia, emergency life-saving skills, pain management, and the essential contribution of anaesthesiologists across multiple areas of healthcare.
The initiative reinforced the importance of educating the public about the responsibilities of anaesthesiologists, whose work extends beyond the operating theatre to emergency care, diagnostic procedures, pain relief, and critical healthcare services.