BAM Holdings launches ‘Diabetes: Live Without Fear’ program on 35th anniversary
Saturday, 28 February 2015 00:16
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BAM Holdings, a conglomerate that is focused on exports and energy conservation re-directed its attention towards the awareness and development of an effective approach for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity amongst its employees in the apparel manufacturing factories under its ownership. The campaign, coinciding with BAM Holdings’ 35th anniversary, marked the beginning of a themed focus on healthy living and taking away the fear of living with diabetes.
The company handed out free glucometers to its employees who were screened for diabetes. The activities commenced on 1 January, specifically addressed the topic of healthy eating and glucometer monitoring and its importance both in the prevention of type 2 diabetes and the effective management of all types of diabetes to avoid complications. All campaign activities will be carried out under the slogan, ‘Diabetes: Live Without Fear’.
BAM Holdings Founder and Group Chairman B.A. Mahipala was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes 25 years back. Yet, after so many years since his diagnosis, he is not only slim and fit but has stopped the progression of the disease with success. With a proper regime of exercising on his treadmill, controlled diet and gluco-monitoring (which he calls his doctor), it has given him the positive attitude to be successful in business and the drive to be the only Sri Lankan to travel extensively to the North and South Poles in his quest for adventure, and the pursuance of his hobby of wildlife photography.
“It is an important milestone for our company,” said Mahipala. He added, “Overcoming fear and its emotional factor plays a vital role in diabetes management. Diabetes is a largely self-managed disease. Consequently, if the patient is unwilling or unable to self-manage his or her diabetes on a day-to-day basis, outcomes will be poor, regardless of how advanced the treatment technology is.”
He went on to further elaborate, “Hence, the glucometer which we provide for them has the potential to assist them to monitor and control their sugar levels, complimented with advice from our factory medical centre nurses.
Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for approximately 90% of all cases of diabetes, occurs when the pancreas has reduced effectiveness in insulin production associated with an increase in insulin resistance.
The diagnosis of type 2 diabetes usually occurs after the age of 40 and is often, but not always, associated with obesity.
BAM Holdings’ centres estimated that 1/10 of its staff over the age of 40 showed symptoms of diabetes or pre-diabetes, and their parents were estimated at one out of 10.
The company’s aim is to implement the ‘prevention is better than cure’ policy and thereby save the country huge amounts of expenditure in treating the disease.
BAM Holdings is leading the fight to overcome the fear psychosis attached to diabetes and its deadly consequences and is mustering its resources to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivering services to its staff, their families and communities associated with their apparel manufacturing factories situated in Homagama, Pitigala, Dickwella, Ranna, Moneragala, Weligama and Thulhiriya.
