Caring for the future: Union Assurance launches diabetes prevention program

Colombo Municipal Council Public Health Department Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ruwan Wijayamuni, members of the Colombo University Medical College and Union Assurance​

Diabetes Pre-Campaign at the Colombo Municipal Council

Union Assurance is well known for its CSR projects that aim to bring about healthful living among communities within Sri Lanka. Previously engaged in the prevention of dengue and thalassaemia, the company is now tackling diabetes, a disease that plagues a large number of Sri Lankans and is growing at an alarming rate. 

The Union Assurance interventions aim to identify those most at risk of developing diabetes, as well as those that are concerned with its prevention, and provide them with the facility to undergo pre-testing procedures, receive expert medical advice and implement preventative actions in their lifestyles. The first two programs took place on 15 and 26 October, together with the Public Health Department of the Colombo Municipal Council, and the support of the Medical Faculty of the Colombo University. 

Through these initial interventions, the Union Assurance diabetes prevention programs were able to provide testing for 250 people. Out of those tested, 58 were identified as suffering from diabetes, while 107 were identified as being high risk individuals. Many of those who took part, admitted to not being aware of the risk they were at of contracting the disease. 

Diabetes is a non-communicable disease that is currently plaguing many countries across the globe. As a result of the long term nature of the disease, diabetes patients are often at high risk of contracting heart diseases, kidney ailments, weakening eye sight, weakening and damaged nervous system. Therefore it is imperative that people are made aware of the dangers that this disease poses if left unattended. The best treatment for diabetes, it is widely acknowledged, is to practice a healthy lifestyle and to get regularly tested to monitor the blood sugar levels in the body. 

“Diabetes is a major disease that our society is suffering from. With the changes in lifestyle, coupled with the lack of awareness, people are highly likely to adopt unhealthy habits and practices. This is a major cause of diabetes. Therefore the best thing to do is to regularly get tested, whether or not you have the disease, and change the unhealthy lifestyle practices in order to minimise risk,” stated Colombo Municipal Council Public Health Department Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ruwan Wijayamuni. 

Marketing and Distribution General Manager Rukman Weeraratne commenting on Union Assurance’s commitment towards the creating of healthy societies stated, “We have received an enormous amount of support from the public for our dengue and thalassaemia projects. With the success of the initial two programs we have observed the service that this program too, provides to society. With our efforts, if we could help prevent a disease that is increasingly plaguing our society, then we can assume that we have done our part. We are very grateful for the support and guidance we receive from the Public Health Department of the Colombo Municipal Council, and also would like to thank the Medical Faculty of the Colombo University for the support they provided us.”

While completing 25 years of unwavering operations, Union Assurance is anchored by a team of experienced and dynamic professionals, a strong capital base and reinsurance partnerships with highly rated global reinsurers. The Union Assurance brand is positioned on the promise of ‘trust’ and strives to deliver this promise by being transparent, convenient and respectful when dealing with all stakeholders over the last 25 years.