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On occasion of World Diabetes Day, the Diabetes Awareness Week is being launched from 17th November onwards in UAE where people can avail HbA1c tests for diabetes free-of-cost at any Aster Hospitals & Clinics and Medcare Hospitals & Medical Centres across the country
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In addition to the free 9000 tests worth AED 2 million, free consultations will also be provided at the centers based on the results, with strict COVID-19 protocols in place
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Aster Volunteers is associated with International Humanitarian City through Aster DM Foundation
Dubai, 16 Nov, 2020: Aster Volunteers, the CSR arm of Aster DM Healthcare is launching a Diabetes Awareness Week from 17th November onwards, in association with Abbott, Aster Hospitals & Clinics and Medcare Hospitals & Medical Centres, with an aim to generate awareness on Diabetes and provide people with an opportunity for early detection of the disease which can help control the progression. HbA1c is an important indicator of long-term blood-sugar control with the ability to reflect the average history of the preceding two to three months. HbA1c test not only provides a reliable measure of chronic diabetes but also correlates well with the risk of long-term diabetes complications.
Only one out of five people can spot the symptoms of diabetes and in many cases, it has been seen that the disease progresses to an advanced stage by the time it is diagnosed. There is also a common misconception that diabetes only affects the elderly or those with poor lifestyle habits. During the current pandemic, when people with diabetes are at an increased risk of contracting Covid-19, early identification of the disease and its control is crucial. The Aster Volunteers team, in this week-long campaign will work towards debunking these myths and offer free diabetes HbA1c tests to as many residents as possible. The tests will be conducted at designated centers across UAE, maintaining the highest COVID – 19 safety protocols.
Commenting on the initiative Dr Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman & Managing Director, Aster DM Healthcare said, “As a responsible healthcare provider we are duty bound to encourage people to understand the value of preventive healthcare instead of reactive sick care. This is more evident with Covid-19 pandemic highlighting the importance of preservative measures to take care of our health — it is seen that the largest number of deaths from COVID 19 are in people with Diabetes. The Diabetes Awareness Week being launched by Aster Volunteers, is our effort to provide an opportunity for people to take charge of their health by adopting right lifestyle choices and avoid Diabetes mellitus.”
Marking 14 November as the World Diabetes Day, the week-long initiative will begin from 17th November where people can register at www.astervolunteers.com and choose the nearest designated center to get the test done. The tests will be conducted for a week, every day and the test results will be delivered within 48 hours via email or SMS. People undergoing the tests can book volunteer consultations for themselves within one week of receiving the test results.
Residents of UAE can access further details at www.astervolunteers.com page regarding registration, designated test centers and further information on diabetes.
About Aster Volunteers, the global CSR programme of Aster DM Healthcare
Aster Volunteers programme, the global corporate social responsibility initiative of Aster DM Healthcare, was launched on occasion of the company’s 30th anniversary in 2017 and provides a platform which bridges the gap between people who would like to help with those in need. Driven by Aster DM Foundation, through various initiatives, the programme has been able to impact 2+ million lives across geographies. Aster Volunteers have been able to treat 290,986 individuals through mobile medical camps; 169,207 people have benefitted from basic life support trainings and 36,019 free surgeries as well as health investigations were conducted; supported with the recruitment of 114 differently abled people and treated 533,146 people through medical camps. The aid programme in Somali land, Jordan, Bangladesh and Kerala has benefitted 288,158 people; while 21,302 children have benefitted under Child Health & Wellness initiatives. Aster Volunteers have also undertaken 142 initiatives towards Sustainability & Community Connect. These initiatives have impacted more than 2,210,258 lives.
Aster Volunteers have also been at the forefront of the battle against COVID – 19, with 46402 people having benefitted from mobile medical camps and 450,384+ from awareness webinars. More than 318,490 people have benefitted through distribution of food and ration kits and 15,486 have received PPE kits. The team has also reached out to the community by distributing 2,200 gift boxes during the holy month of Ramadan and has worked towards answering of 16,697 distress calls during the global lockdown. Through these COVID initiatives the team has impacted 850, 415 lives.
For more information about us, please contact:
Lavanya Mandal
Head of PR and Internal Communications
Aster DM Healthcare
Tel: +971 528126577
Email: lavanya.mandal@asterdmhealthcare.com
Bejoy Changarath
Assistant General Manager - PR & Media Relations
Aster DM Healthcare
Tel: +971 524073559
Email: bejoy.changarath@asterdmhealthcare.com
DISCLAIMER: Certain statements in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties like government actions, local, political or economic developments, technological risks, and many other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the relevant forward-looking statements. Aster DM Healthcare will not be in any way responsible for any action taken based on such statements and undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.