Free diabetes education program at CDEM

The Center for Diabetes Endocrinology and Cardio-Metabolism (CDEM) has launched a diabetes education program with the purpose of imparting crucial knowledge on prevention, early detection and management of diabetes. 

A highly beneficial program launched for the first time in Sri Lanka, it will be conducted free-of-charge by experts, who will raise awareness on diabetes and provide guidelines on how to live a productive life with the illness. 

The program includes interactive sessions whereby participants are engaged in activities that would educate them through creative and interesting methods. During sessions on dietary behaviour for example, participants are not just shown how to prepare healthy food, they are invited to prepare that food together as a group, producing healthy sandwiches and other types of food that are safe yet enjoyable for people living with diabetes. 

The program covers the following areas: 

•  What happens in diabetes
•  Risk factors
•  Signs and symptoms of diabetes
•  Complications of diabetes and prevention of the complications
•  Information on lab tests and target values
•  Practical tips to adjust dietary behaviours
•  Aerobics and exercises
•  Foot care and shoes
•  Oral antihyperglycemic drugs, their effects and side effects
•  Insulin therapy

Diabetes Mellitus is a growing concern in Sri Lanka as it lowers the quality of life and can lead to disability and death. The toll it exerts on the country’s economy is enormous. It is estimated that in Sri Lanka, type 2 diabetes can be present for up to nine to 12 years before initial clinical diagnosis. 

Micro vascular disease progresses during this time, causing 15% to 20% of patients to have retinopathy and 5% to 10% to have proteinuria at the time of diagnosis. Patients with type 2 diabetes have high rates of hypertension, dyslipidemia and obesity. Type 2 diabetes is occurring increasingly in younger people. 

This is a highly-avoidable situation as the necessary facilities to prevent, detect and treat diabetes are easily accessible. Effective treatment can prevent the onset of complications and reduce premature morbidity. Lack of knowledge on the availability of services and facilities prevents patients from utilising what is offered. 

It is with this in mind that CDEM’s diabetes education program seeks to promote awareness, bringing healthcare professionals and patients with diabetes to work together to enable a healthy and productive life. 

Don’t miss out on this opportunity. Space is limited. Contact 0763417261 to reserve a seat.