“Take the Test” campaign reaches 60,000 people and counting

Organized by Landmark Group in association with Apollo Tele Health Service, the campaign aims to educate people about the need to undergo diagnostic tests to know about their diabetes status

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New Delhi: To mark World Diabetes Day 2016 (November 15th), Landmark Group in association with Apollo Tele Health Services launched a unique Diabetes Screening Program across 100 selected retail stores, organizing Free Random Blood Sugar Test and thereby providing awareness and encouraging customers visiting the stores to “Take the test” for free.

Starting 11th November, about 60,000 people across 15 states & 42 cities have been covered by these interventions through interpersonal interactions. 12.11 percent of the people screened had a Random Blood Glucose Value of greater than 140. Of these people with High Random Blood Glucose value, 48% were tested for the first time.

In a novel CSR initiative which leverages their vast retail network, Landmark Group is providing free screening to create awareness about Diabetes through their “BEAT DIABETES – TAKE THE TEST” program. Apollo Tele Health Services is facilitating this unique 10 day campaign across 15 states and 42 cities, ranging from Chandigarh, Uttarakhand, Mohali in the north, to Surat, Ahmedabad in the west, Bhubhaneshwar, Bhopal in the centre; thereby spanning the expanse of several geographies up to Kochi, Mysore in South of India.

With the launch of this campaign 3 days before World Diabetes Day, both groups aimed to create awareness about Diabetes, which is rapidly emerging as a major public health problem in India. It is increasing in epidemic proportions, not only in urban areas but also in rural areas.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman, Landmark Group, Micky Jagtiani said “As of today, India is the Diabetes Capital of the world. The increase in prevalence of Diabetes is due to rapid urbanization, changing lifestyle and genetic predisposition as well. The fact remains that, diabetes can be prevented. In order to bring about changes in people’s lifestyle, various awareness programmes must be conducted. Regular screening of adults is essential for early detection and care.”

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman Apollo Hospitals Group Dr Prathap C Reddy said “By detecting people who are at high risk for Diabetes (pre-diabetic), the program creates and inculcates awareness; enabling people to make necessary lifestyle changes to prevent onset of the disease. This impact stands to prove the value of such large scale screening programs across varied demographics.”

The overall objective of this program is to create awareness by early detection and sensitization on change of lifestyle, promotion of a healthy diet, physical activity and self-care. This program also motivates patients through focus on self-care, monitoring their own blood sugar, controlled diet, regular exercise and meditation, so that, people with Diabetes keep their blood sugar under control and prevent complications.

“Take the test” activity will be conducted across 100 selected Lifestyle and Max retail stores across 15 states in India in the month of November. More than one lakh people are expected to undergo this test during the campaign period, which will be conducted for 10 days.

Landmark Group as a part of its ‘Social Initiatives’ has been running the ‘Beat Diabetes’ program in India since 2010. The program has reached out to more than two lakh people in the past 6 years. Since 2015 Landmark group has collaborated with Apollo Tele Health Services, which has been the pioneer in technology based healthcare delivery, to take this initiative to new heights. This joint effort leveraging the vast network and expertise of both groups will help screen people across different geographies and increase awareness about Diabetes, which is a major concern for low-and-middle groups. ‘Take the Test’ activity will be conducted across 100 selected Lifestyle and Max Retail stores across India for 10 days.