PORT OF SPAIN –
Tatil and Tatil Life, members of the ANSA McAL Group, and providers of health, life and critical illness insurance, have identified a major gap in the awareness of Diabetes and its effect on citizens. The companies have adopted Diabetes as the major corporate social initiative to which they will be committed well into the future.
At the launch of this major undertaking, Chairman of Tatil and Tatil Life, Ray A Sumairsingh, commented to the stakeholders and media present that the companies would support strategies outlined in the Ministry of Health’s National Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non Communicable Diseases, and will develop key partnerships with the NGOs involved in Diabetes education.
Type 1 Diabetes is less prevalent, is usually found in people under the age of 30, and is irreversible. Type 2 is generally a lifestyle disease. Nine out of 10 diabetics have Type 2, and a portion of those could reverse or revise the severity of their diagnosis if they would only make changes to their diet and engage in daily exercise.
Said M Musa Ibrahaim, Managing Director, Tatil: “Our campaign will roll out across all media and touch points. Citizens can find informative pamphlets on different aspects of Diabetes in our branches and elsewhere, and we will develop toolkits for students, teachers and parents with specific advice about Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.”
Ronald Milford, Managing Director of Tatil Life, remarked that “under the theme Diabetes: A family concern, our approach is to raise awareness of the impact that Diabetes has on the individual, and to promote the role of the family in controlling the condition. These are the people closest to the diabetic, and therefore key players in recognizing the symptoms, supporting lifestyle changes, and providing care.”
He went on to say that the educational campaign will have three arms: Discovering Diabetes, Preventing Diabetes and Managing Diabetes.
ANSA McAL is a mosaic of many different businesses, which touch the lives of many—if not all—citizens. The Group endorses this initiative by its insurance companies, which will continuously impact the lifestyle changes required to combat Diabetes.
The campaign will be launched from 1st November with 14th November —World Diabetes Day—highlighted with events around the country at Tatil Building in Port of Spain.
ATTENDING THE LAUNCH AT TATIL BUILDING WERE:
The Honourable Terrence Deyalsingh MP, Minister of Health
Executive Chairman of the ANSA McAl Group of Companies, Mr A Norman Sabga LLD
Deputy Chairman of the ANSA McAL Group of Companies, Mr David Sabga
Group Chief Executive Officer of ANSA McAL Limited, Mr Andrew Sabga
Chairman of Tatil and Tatil Life, Mr Ray A Sumairsingh
Managing Director of Tatil, Mr M Musa Ibrahim
Managing Director of Tatil Life, Mr Ronald Milford
President of the Diabetes Association of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr Andrew Dhanoo
Representatives of the Bovell Cancer Diabetes Foundation, Rosetta, Nyron and Eastlyn Bovell
Other stakeholders and members of the media.