Bhubaneswar: To mark World Lupus Day, the Odisha Arthritis and Rheumatology Foundation Trust (OARFT) organized an awareness walkathon to educate the public about Lupus and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (LUPUS) is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues and organs. It can affect the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, and other organs, sometimes leading to serious complications. Doctors highlighted that Lupus mainly affects women between 15 and 45 years of age, with nearly 9 out of 10 patients being female.
Common symptoms include fever, joint pain, chest pain, hair loss, skin rashes, and fatigue. Lupus is not contagious and can be diagnosed with tests such as the Anti-Nuclear Antibody (ANA) test.
The walkathon was held from the OARC Sailashree Vihar campus to DAV School Square, Bhubaneswar, and was inaugurated by MLA of Bhubaneswar North, Shri Sushant Kumar Rout.
Distinguished guests included Senior Rheumatologist and former IRA Odisha President Dr. Manoj Kumar Chhotray, and senior journalist Shri Girija Shankar Dash, who encouraged greater awareness about the disease.
Prof. Dr. Jyoti Ranjan Parida, Medical Director of OARC, and Dr. Debasish Maikap, Consultant Rheumatologist and Head of OARC Sailashree Vihar Branch, emphasized that timely diagnosis, regular treatment, and lifestyle changes can help Lupus patients lead healthy and productive lives.
Awareness leaflets were distributed during the programme. The event was coordinated by Shri Chaitanya Chandra Parida, Founder of OARFT.
