HEALTH
Ceylinco Diabetes Centre promotes diabetes screening in November
Unveils month-long incentive scheme in support of
World Diabetes Day initiatives:
Sweet treats may be anathema to diabetics, but the Ceylinco Diabetes
Centre intends to encourage greater numbers of Sri Lankans to undergo
testing for the disease this November by sweetening what could normally
be a reluctant visit to its precincts.
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Ceylinco
Healthcare Centre |
Free tests, discounts, chances to win valuable prizes and a special
screening package for diabetes are available to those who use the
services of the Centre throughout the month as part of an effort to
combat the spread of diabetes and support initiatives around the world
connected with World Diabetes Day, on November 14.
Ceylinco Diabetes Centre Senior Medical Officer Dr. Charuky
Weerasuriya said, “We continue to organise activities to promote
awareness of the importance of screening for diabetes, because early
detection and proper management of the disease can prevent or delay some
of its worst consequences.”
A comprehensive diabetes screening package at a special discounted
price is available at the Centre in November. This includes a
consultation session and a complete physical examination by a doctor,
computation of Body Mass Index (BMI), check for visual acuity, Fasting
Blood Sugar test (FBS), HbA1C test, lipid profile, Urine for Micro
Albumin Test, Serum Creatinine test, ECG, Fundus Photograph (photograph
of retina), consultation with an Eye Surgeon and a session with a
diabetes educator.
The Centre will provide those who undergo screening with a detailed
report based on the results of the tests. They will also be provided an
opportunity to discuss the reports with a doctor at the Centre.
Those who undergo diabetes screening will also receive a free foot
assessment and an ear checkup which includes an Audiogram, Typhanogram
and Otoscopic examination, the Centre said.
In addition, anyone who obtains a diabetes screening package from the
Centre in November 2011 will be eligible to win one of 15 Blood Glucose
Monitors, used to test the concentration of glucose in the blood.
All tests, consultations and treatment at the Ceylinco Diabetes
Centre located at Park Street Colombo 2 take place in a comfortable
non-hospital atmosphere.
A highly specialised outpatient clinic for screening, detection and
management of diabetes and its complications, the Centre conducts
clinics in Diabetology, Cardiology, Ophthalmology, Radiology, Vascular,
Diet and Nutrition. An in-house Medical Laboratory is equipped to
conduct a comprehensive range of diagnostic tests, while the Centre’s
Diabetes shop provides diabetic medications and other diabetes related
products.
Nawaloka Hospital’s ‘Serene’ Diabetes Centre marks World Diabetes
Day
In an attempt to create a greater awareness of this disease, which is
fast increasing in pandemic proportions, even more than HIV/AIDS,
Nawaloka Hospital’s ‘Serene’ Diabetes Centre will commemorate World
Diabetes Day (November 14) with a special programme where a series of
Diabetes related activities will be held at the hospital premises on
November 16, commencing 7.30 a.m.
The ‘Serene’ Diabetes Centre will see Nawaloka Hospital once more in
the forefront with an elaborate public health awareness programme being
conducted, in keeping with the hospital’s CSR initiatives.
Fasting Blood Sugar tests will be done with the medical officers
interpreting the reports then and there and giving advice free, while
cookery demonstrations on the preparation of healthy food by the
Nawaloka Hospital chefs, as well as interactive sessions with leading
Consultant Diabetologists, are all part of the day’s activities.
“WHO figures estimate that the number of Diabetics worldwide will
rise to 380 million by the year 2025, while those affected by Impaired
Glucose Tolerance [IGT] will rise to 418 million, with an estimated 7
million people developing Diabetes every year”, said Nawaloka Hospital’s
Director and General Manager Professor Lal Chandrasena. “Of these
figures the highest prevalence rates will be in developing countries
like ours. It is estimated that currently 10.3 % of our adult population
[above 20] are affected by Diabetes,
while by the year 2030 this figure is expected to reach 14 %. Of this
figure the urban prevalence of Diabetes is 16.4%, with Rural being
estimated at 8.7%, with females being the worst affected at 10.9 % and
males at 9.8 %. It is also interesting to note that the number of newly
diagnosed Diabetics is notably in the younger age group, especially
between 20-30”. Professor Chandrasena went on to say that one of the
most alarming features of Diabetes is that up to 50% of those affected
are unaware that they suffer from this dreaded disease. “Furthermore
those affected by Diabetes could expect a reduction in life expectancy
of up to 5-10 years, while it is well-known and documented that Diabetes
affects your heart, kidneys, nervous system, as well as the eyes”, he
said. |