Seeni Colombo launched Steps Against Diabetes, an initiative supporting Paa Saviya, a not-for-profit diabetic wound and foot care unit set up by the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Colombo. The campaign aims to address the critical issue of diabetes in Sri Lanka, where 1 in 4 persons, including children, suffers from this chronic condition. Diabetes has become a silent killer, as per research by the World Health Organisation in 2019, the disease being attributed to be the second highest cause of death in Sri Lanka, accounting for 12,460 deaths.
Steps Against Diabetes supports Paa Saviya’s work, including limb salvage, prosthetics, insole development, design and production of diabetic footwear, and the up-skilling of nurses in treating diabetic wounds. The impact of this disease is profound and far-reaching.
The current economic situation, both locally and globally, has made accessing necessary medical treatments more difficult for many, making initiatives like Steps Against Diabetes crucial in providing affordable and specialised care. Vascular Surgeon and Co-Director Paa Saviya Dr. Thushan Gooneratne said, “Every hour, a limb is lost in Sri Lanka due to diabetes. It is preventable 80 percent of the time. Initiatives such as Steps Against Diabetes would motivate more people to prevent this silent killer diabetes.”
The founders of Seeni Colombo walked all 300 km of the Pekoe Trail over 25 consecutive days as a fund raising activity. The Pekoe Trail is an internationally awarded, curated long-distance walking trail through the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka. The walk, which began on July 22 from Pedro Estate in Nuwara Eliya, concluded on Thuesday in Hanthane. The Pekoe Trail’s management provided guidance and helped the team prepare for the journey which aims to raise awareness about diabetes.
Seeni Colombo Co-founder Mario De Soysa said, “We wanted to create something impactful both professionally and personally. The idea of walking the Pekoe Trail as a fundraiser resonated deeply with us, especially since diabetes has affected our families. Paa Saviya’s work in limb salvage and wound care is vital, and we felt compelled to support them by putting our feet to the task.”
Another Co-founder Dushan Pieris said, “The first week has been both challenging and rewarding. We’ve faced early starts and intense heat in the Uva Province, but the stunning landscapes and warm encounters with locals have kept us motivated. The transition to cooler climates in the Central Province brought new challenges.”
Chair Professor Surgery, Faculty of Medicine Colombo and Director of Paa Saviya Prof. Mandika Wijeyaratne said, “The initiative Steps Against Diabetes in the name of healing and amputation prevention is a testimony of our capacity to come together and make this country a better place.”
