Union Assurance has launched its flagship CSR program, Suwamaga, aimed at enriching community well-being.
Driven by the purpose of protecting lives and enriching the well-being of all, the Company will provide nationwide support under Suwamaga, a program focused on reducing diabetes incidence in Sri Lanka.
This comprehensive program is built on four strategic pillars: raising awareness about diabetes, promoting healthy lifestyles, supporting early detection and risk management, and fostering community engagement.
The urgency of Suwamaga stems from the alarming rise in the country’s diabetes and pre-diabetes over the past three decades.
According to the International Diabetes Federation, Sri Lanka reported a diabetes prevalence rate of 9.8% among adults in 2021, placing the nation at a heightened risk within the South Asian region.
This issue affects a significant portion of the population, with increasing cases among younger individuals due to modern sedentary lifestyles, inadequate exercise, and rising stress levels.
The consequences are severe, including rising morbidity rates and complications such as cardiovascular diseases, blindness, kidney failure, and amputations.
In response to this critical national issue, Union Assurance has stepped forward as a proactive corporate citizen with Suwamaga. As its first instalment, the Company conducted a series of diabetes screenings at the MedEx Expo 2024 held at the Kandy City Center.
Partnering with medical laboratory technologists from the National Hospital, Kandy, the screenings successfully examined over 1,000 individuals.
Union Assurance also provided education on managing diabetes to the participants, thereby enabling significant steps towards enriching their health and well-being.
Mahen Gunarathna, Chief Marketing Officer at Union Assurance, said, “Union Assurance is deeply committed to enriching the well-being of all Sri Lankans through our purpose-driven initiatives and we take great pride in our flagship CSR program, Suwamaga.
“Diabetes is often termed a ‘silent killer,’ and it is imperative that we engage in meaningful dialogue and decisive actions to address this pressing national issue.
“Our commitment through Suwamaga is to provide nationwide support and drive change at the grassroots level, where it is most impactful,” he said.