Diabetes Assn, Nestle Lanka pledge to curb diabetes in the country

Nestle Lanka recently announced a three-year global cooperation agreement with the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), a collaboration aimed at encouraging healthy lifestyles through balanced nutrition, adequate physical activity and stress reduction from an early age, with the vision of preventing of Type 2 Diabetes. In line with this commitment, Nestlé Lanka joins forces with the Diabetes Association of Sri Lanka (DASL) to recognize World Diabetes Day on November 14, 2012 in Colombo.

Managing Director of Nestlé Lanka PLC, Alois Hofbauer exchanging agreements with Dr. Mahen Wijesuriya, Honorary Director of the National Diabetes Centre and Secretary of the Diabetes Association of Sri Lanka. Picture by Saliya Rupasinghe

With the aim of embedding the key message of awareness on the Non-Communicable Disease, Diabetes being the most important as the largest pandemic known to mankind, Nestlé Lanka aims to support the DASL to propel a fully-fledged awareness campaign across the island. The key activities for the period will commence with the distribution of diabetes awareness education material at city entry points across Colombo, in the morning hours on World Diabetes Day. Subsequently, DASL representatives and Nestlé Lanka volunteer employees will be based at four central locations, namely, Liberty Plaza, Majestic City, Crescat and the World Trade Center, to conduct free Diabetes screening for risk factors and glucometer blood sugar testing for the benefit of the public. Commenting on the endeavour, Managing Director of Nestlé Lanka PLC, Alois Hofbauer said, “It is with a great sense of honour and responsibility that Nestlé has entered into a partnership with the International Diabetes Federation, pledging our committed support to carry forward this worthy mission. In line with this global affiliation, Nestlé Lanka will be supporting the Diabetes Association of Sri Lanka to generate awareness and education on diabetes, an escalating non-communicable disease that has affected millions worldwide. As the leading Nutrition, Health and Wellness Company, we are proud to be an advocate to such a valuable cause by ensuring that the message is carried out to all communities on how to prevent Type 2 Diabetes from affecting their lives.”

Honorary Director of the National Diabetes Centre and Secretary of the Diabetes Association of Sri Lanka, Dr. Mahen Wijesuriya stated, “Our mantra for World Diabetes Day is wellness without illness through healthy lifestyles.”

World Diabetes Day is the world’s largest diabetes advocacy and awareness campaign celebrated annually in November. In 1991, the IDF and the World Health Organization (WHO) created World Diabetes Day in response to the increasing global health threat posed by the disease. The campaign led by IDF, engages millions of people across the world to bring attention to issues relating to diabetes, ensuring that the serious matter remains in public spotlight.

Nestlé Lanka together with the Diabetes Association of Sri Lanka, would be carrying out further activities with the aim of sustaining awareness and education on the largest non-communicable disease, via screenings for diabetes and awareness activities with sustained attention to primary prevention, the only way to curtail the pandemic. As a strong ambassador of Nutrition, Health and Wellness, Nestlé is proud to be an active partner in promoting the prevention of diabetes in Sri Lanka and the world over.