Countering heart disease thro’ awareness, diet

Unilever Sri Lanka, in partnership with Nawaloka Hospitals PLC, is stepping up an awareness programme on preventing heart diseases in Sri Lanka with the appropriate use of dietary fats. The company said this is in response to research which shows that cardiovascular and related diseases are fast becoming the number one killer in Sri Lanka. This alarming fact is attributed largely to the lack of information available to the general public on the dangers of leading unhealthy lifestyles that ultimately result in heart disease, the company said.

Named “Flora Hadaridma” this ‘healthy heart’ programme will focus on creating awareness on food, work, exercise, stress reduction and other general healthy lifestyle tips. Unilever through its brand Flora will partner Nawaloka hospital to address all the pivotal levels of controlling heart disease, so that Sri Lankans will begin to make more informed choices on how best to care for their heart. Doctors of Nawaloka hospital will join Unilever in informing the public on the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle. Education on how simple lifestyle changes can prevent the incidence of Heart disease and how such preventive measures are far easier to adopt than the recovery process that follows heart disease, it said.

Prof. Lal Chandrasena, Director General Manager of Nawaloka Hospitals PLC, said “Sri Lankans need to wake up to reality. Heart diseases and related conditions are taking a high toll of human lives and can no longer be ignored.”

Surith Perera, Director Foods of Unilever Sri Lanka, said “The ‘Flora Hadaridma’ Campaign will communicate a message that heart disease is preventable and will galvanize all Sri Lankans to save their hearts and protect themselves from falling victim to the number one killer in our country.”

The Flora Hadaridma campaign will be primarily achieved through a series of TV programmes that will be aired on ITN. These will include, amongst others, simple and yet useful tips from leading cardiologists on how to live a heart healthy lifestyle and nutritious recipes from two of the country’s most renowned chefs of Galadari Hotel.