New Delhi, September 4, 2026: #National Injury Prevention Week, A week-long awareness campaign on injury prevention and spinal cord injuries is underway in the national capital, bringing together healthcare professionals, people living with spinal cord injuries, caregivers, students, volunteers and members of the community.
The fourth edition of National Injury Prevention Week, being observed from September 1 to 7, is being organised under the aegis of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. The initiative aims to raise awareness about preventing avoidable injuries and improving access to timely treatment, rehabilitation and long-term support for people with spinal cord injuries.
The campaign has been organised in association with 22 national spine care societies from across India and includes sports and cultural activities, seminars, webinars, panel discussions, competitions, a street play and a wheelchair rally.
Awareness activities held during the week
The programme began on September 1 with an online poster competition on “Prevention of Spinal Cord Injuries” and a slogan competition on “Yes, We Can.”
On September 2, members of the Spine Team at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute conducted a Nukkad Natak to communicate messages related to injury prevention and spinal cord injury awareness through community theatre.
The September 3 pre-event included talks on spinal cord injury awareness, an inclusive dance performance, a Nukkad Natak and wheelchair activities. An online panel discussion later in the day focused on the medical, psychological and social aspects of life after spinal cord injury, including rehabilitation, mental well-being, social participation and quality of life.
A webinar titled “The Power of the Mind” is being held on September 4, focusing on psychological recovery, resilience and adaptation following spinal cord injury.
Wheelchair rally planned for September 5
As part of the campaign, a wheelchair rally is scheduled to be held on September 5 in the North Campus of the University of Delhi.
The rally will start from Shri Ram College of Commerce at 10:30 am and conclude at St. Stephen’s College. According to the organisers, more than 350 participants, including around 100 wheelchair users and 250 able-bodied participants, are expected to take part.
The rally is aimed at promoting inclusion, accessibility, road safety and awareness about spinal cord injury prevention.
The organisers have also planned an audio-visual presentation on spinal cord injury prevention later in the evening.
Sports, health camp and cultural programme on September 6
A larger programme is scheduled for September 6 at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Auditorium, where more than 500 people, including over 100 wheelchair users, are expected to participate.
An Inclusive Health Check-up Camp will be held from 10 am to 1 pm, offering health screening and consultations for wheelchair users and other participants.
The health camp will be followed by wheelchair sporting activities from 2 pm to 3:30 pm. The events will include Wheelchair Table Tennis, Boccia, Wheelchair Racing and Wheelchair Hurdles.
A cultural programme is scheduled from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm, featuring wheelchair dance performances and professional wheelchair stunt demonstrations.
According to the organisers, the programme is intended to highlight the role of sports, culture and community participation in rehabilitation and improving the quality of life of people living with spinal cord injuries. The event will also be streamed live.
Focus on prevention and rehabilitation
Dr Harvinder Singh Chhabra, Chief of the Spine and Rehabilitation Centre at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, President of the Spinal Cord Society, Chairman of the Spine Wellness & Care Foundation and Coordinator for National Injury Prevention Week, said the campaign aims to reinforce the message that many injuries, including spinal cord injuries, can be prevented.
“Many injuries, including spinal cord injuries, can be prevented, and when they do occur, people can rebuild their lives through timely medical care, comprehensive rehabilitation and sustained social support,” he said.
Dr Chhabra said Spinal Cord Injury Day was conceptualised to create awareness about prevention while also highlighting that people who sustain spinal cord injuries can lead happy, meaningful and fulfilling lives with appropriate medical management and rehabilitation.
He also stressed the need for early intervention, wider access to rehabilitation and an environment that enables people with spinal cord injuries to live with dignity, independence and purpose.
Road safety message
Road safety is also an important part of the injury prevention campaign.
According to data reported by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), 16,397 people were killed in road accidents in 2021 due to not wearing seat belts. The figure included 8,438 drivers and 7,959 passengers.
The organisers said such figures highlight the importance of simple preventive measures, including consistent use of seat belts and greater awareness of road safety.
National Injury Prevention Week to conclude on September 7
The week-long campaign is scheduled to conclude on September 7 with a webinar focusing on injury prevention.
The initiative seeks to shift the conversation around spinal cord injuries beyond medical treatment alone, with greater emphasis on rehabilitation, accessibility, social participation and inclusion.
By bringing together healthcare professionals, people with disabilities, caregivers, students, volunteers and the wider community, the campaign aims to promote safer environments and support people living with spinal cord injuries in leading independent and meaningful lives.
