Sunshine Healthcare, CMC to conduct free diabetes screening

Sunshine Healthcare Lanka Ltd. (SHL) partnered the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) to conduct free diabetes screening for people from low-income groups, as part of SHL's long-standing Seeni Mar' community initiative to combat, prevent and raise awareness of diabetes.

Around 170 people were present for the diabetes screening at Stacepura to coincide with the World Diabetes Day (November 14).

Many people with diabetes and pre-diabetes symptoms were identified through screening and offered guidance on the future course of action.

The joint screening program was initiated by SHL and the CMC in response to statistics which indicate that diabetes prevalence and deaths due to diabetes appear to be sharply on the rise in Sri Lanka and the condition is especially a concern among those from low-income groups who lack the knowledge and the resources to effectively combat and prevent diabetes.

According to the Diabetes Association of Sri Lanka, 4.3 million Sri Lankans - approximately one-fifth of the population - suffer from diabetes and prediabetes. Diabetes and heart disease account for 30% of overall deaths in the country and claim the lives of 100 Sri Lankans each day.