‘The Freedom Walk’: Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi Champions Senior Wellness on Independence Day
Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi Marks Independence Day with ‘The Freedom Walk 2026’ Promoting Senior Wellness and Active Ageing
Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, part of the IHH Healthcare network, marked India’s 80th Independence Day with ‘The Freedom Walk 2026’, a community wellness initiative aimed at promoting healthy ageing, mobility and preventive healthcare among senior citizens. The initiative brought together nearly 700 registered participants from across Navi Mumbai, with senior citizens between the ages of 60 and 90 coming together to celebrate independence through movement, fitness and community engagement.
The initiative was built around the idea that physical mobility is an important part of personal independence, particularly as people grow older. Through The Freedom Walk, the hospital sought to encourage seniors to remain physically active, pay greater attention to preventive healthcare and seek timely medical advice for age-related health concerns. The event provided participants with an opportunity to engage in physical activity while also interacting with healthcare professionals in a supportive community environment.
The walkathon was inaugurated in the presence of Shri Kamlesh Kumar Gupta (IRS), Commissioner, CGST Audit, Navi Mumbai & Raigad, who brought more than three decades of experience in public service and administration. His presence added significance to an initiative centred on discipline, resilience, consistency and lifelong learning. The inauguration was also attended by Dr. Ashutosh Pandey, Facility Director, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, along with the hospital’s clinicians, administrators, nurses and support teams.
Speaking at the event, Shri Kamlesh Kumar Gupta (IRS), Commissioner, CGST Audit, Navi Mumbai & Raigad, said, “Fitness and discipline are values that stay with us throughout life. My years in public service have reinforced the importance of consistency, resilience and taking responsibility for one’s well-being. Initiatives like The Freedom Walk are a wonderful reminder that staying active and healthy enables senior citizens to continue contributing meaningfully to society.”
Participants were given the option of choosing between 3 km and 5 km routes, allowing them to take part according to their fitness levels and comfort. Both routes began and concluded at Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi. The event also received community participation and support from the Rotary Club of Navi Mumbai and Adhata Trust, further strengthening its focus on collective wellness and active ageing.
Safety and preparedness remained a key component of the initiative. Participants were encouraged to prepare for the walk through guided warm-up sessions and Zumba activities, followed by cool-down exercises after completion. The hospital deployed a dedicated 65-member medical team, comprising 30 doctors, paramedics and physiotherapists, supported by 35 nurses. Physiotherapy stations and mobile medical teams were positioned to provide assistance during the walk, while pre- and post-event health checks helped participants better understand their health status before and after the activity.
Beyond encouraging physical activity, The Freedom Walk was designed as a preventive healthcare touchpoint, giving senior citizens an opportunity to access expert guidance on health concerns that can become increasingly relevant with age. Participants could avail themselves of health screenings and consultations with specialists from Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, including Dr. Sourabh Kulkarni, Director & HOD – Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement; Dr. Soumyan Dey, Director – Urology & Uro-Oncology; and Dr. Prashant Bhamare, Director – Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
The consultations focused on areas such as bone and joint health, mobility, urological concerns, women’s health and other age-related conditions. By bringing these services closer to the community, the initiative aimed to encourage seniors to recognise potential health concerns early and seek professional guidance rather than waiting for symptoms to become more serious.
Speaking about the importance of mobility in healthy ageing, Dr. Sourabh Kulkarni, Director & HOD – Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, said, “Maintaining mobility is one of the most important aspects of healthy ageing. Staying active within one’s comfort level and seeking timely medical advice can help seniors preserve movement, balance and confidence, allowing them to continue their daily activities independently.”
Highlighting the importance of timely attention to urological health, Dr. Soumyan Dey, Director – Urology & Uro-Oncology, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Navi Mumbai, said, “Many urinary health concerns among older adults tend to be ignored or discussed only when symptoms become severe. Creating an accessible platform where seniors can interact with specialists encourages early diagnosis and timely care, which can significantly improve comfort and overall well-being.”
Further emphasising the importance of preventive healthcare for senior women, Dr. Prashant Bhamare, Director – Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, added, “Preventive consultations provide an opportunity to identify age-related health concerns early and enable seniors to continue leading active, healthy and independent lives. Encouraging open conversations around health is an important step towards improving overall well-being among older adults.”
The initiative also reflected the hospital’s broader focus on community-oriented healthcare and the evolving needs of its ageing population. Dr. Ashutosh Pandey, Facility Director, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, said, “For close to two decades, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital has been a part of this community, and the patients we’ve served over the years have shaped how we think about their evolving healthcare needs. Healthy ageing is not only about managing illness; it is equally about preserving mobility, confidence and independence for as long as possible. It is this understanding of our senior patients that prompted The Freedom Walk, an opportunity to encourage them to make movement a regular part of their lives while also connecting with specialists in an accessible and comfortable setting. The response to the initiative has been encouraging and reinforces the need for more community-led preventive health programmes for our seniors.”
The strong participation at The Freedom Walk 2026 highlights the growing importance of initiatives that look beyond conventional healthcare settings to address the physical, social and preventive health needs of older adults. For many seniors, staying healthy is not simply about managing existing conditions, but also about maintaining the strength, balance, confidence and independence required to participate actively in everyday life.
By bringing together fitness, preventive health screenings, specialist consultations and community engagement, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi used the Independence Day occasion to reinforce the message that freedom and independence can also be supported through healthy lifestyle choices. The Freedom Walk 2026 served as a platform for senior citizens to prioritise their well-being, connect with their community and embrace an active approach to ageing.
Through initiatives such as The Freedom Walk, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi continues to emphasise the importance of accessible, preventive and community-focused healthcare. The initiative reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to supporting senior citizens in leading healthier, more active and independent lives while encouraging a culture of wellness and proactive health management across Navi Mumbai.
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