Hemas Hospitals Thalawathugoda launches Healthy Lifestyle Club

Wednesday, 9 October 2013 00:05 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

To promote early detection and an overall healthy lifestyle that can help prevent the onset of many non-communicable diseases, Hemas Hospitals Thalawathugoda recently launched their ‘Healthy Lifestyle Club,’ an initiative to prod the community in taking a keen interest in helping identify the risk factors associated with one’s lifestyle and be helped by professional medical and healthcare specialists in minimising the risk levels of heart diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer.

According to a recent WHO report, as many as 13% of men and a further 13% of women over 30 will be overweight in Sri Lanka by the year 2015. Recent statistics show that Sri Lankan women are more obese than men with nearly one quarter of the population of women being overweight. At present, 25% of women and 17% of men are overweight. While Sri Lanka has been applauded for successfully eradicating all vaccinable diseases, reduced maternal mortality and controlling communicable diseases, the non-communicable diseases brought upon by society and lifestyles have yet to be contained. This is of particular concern given that 65% of deaths in all age categories were caused by non-communicable ailments like diabetes and cardiovascular disease (source WHO 2011 report). The Healthy Lifestyle Club (HLSC) an initiative by Hemas Hospitals, Thalawathugoda aims to reverse this trend, with membership encouraged from even 25-year-olds, the initiative aims at educating, creating awareness and encouraging regular and constant check-ups, counselling, exercise class routines, diet and food habits advice and a host of offerings for a lifetime membership of Rs. 400. “The Healthy Lifestyle Club is not just about ensuring one patient’s welfare- it’s about social responsibility,” remarked General Manager of Hemas Hospitals Thalawathugoda Dr. Chamila Ariyananda, adding, “By implementing this program we hope that those who are most vulnerable to these diseases can change their lifestyle, becoming healthier and happier. More importantly, we hope to save lives.” Members of the HLSC will find the support they need to become healthier- from consultation with nutrition experts for a balanced diet to aerobics classes, ensuring members stay healthy and fit. Those enrolling are also entitled to discounts on routine monthly check ups like blood sugar and cholesterol tests, as well as free consultations with doctors. Apart from this, members are also entitled to discounts on packages tailor-made to treat conditions like diabetes, liver ailments and cardiovascular disease. There is also a package for tumour screening. Those with busy schedules will also receive notifications reminding them about an upcoming check- up just as a family member would. The HLSC also offers moral support for those who are finding it difficult to adjust from unhealthy eating habits, in the form of counselling and peer support. According to WHO, non-communicable diseases are quickly becoming the leading cause of death in Sri Lanka. With its specialised and regular check- ups, the HLSC could potentially save hundreds of lives, reversing the trend shown in the statistics.