SLMA annual Health Run and Walk
The annual Health Run and Walk, one of the highlights of the anniversary celebrations of the Sri Lanka Medical Association ( SLMA) will be flagged off on Sunday, July 17 at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo.
Comprising a 3.8 km competitive run for registered participants and a 2.9km walk open to members of the public, the event will be the culmination of a series of activities including a week- long campaign from July 11 – 16 titled ‘ Take the Test’organised by the SLMA to promote screening for diabetes and an art competition for children to create better awareness of healthy lifestyles.
Participants in the run and walk will have the benefit of free health screening, medical and physiotherapy advice, healthy food and refreshments, demonstrations of yoga and warm up exercises, and an attractive T- shirt on a first come, first served basis, the organisers said.
Several leading hospital groups such as Nawaloka, Asiri, Lanka Hospitals, Durdans and Hemas will be joined by Vision Care Opticians, Wickramarachchi Hearing Centre, the College of Pulmonologists, the
Nutrition Society, the Sports Medicine Unit and the Department of Physiotherapy to offer advice and free checks at this event.
Leading companies in the food and beverage, personal care and pharmaceutical sectors, such as CIC, Nestlé, Ceylon Biscuits, Unilever, Dilmah, George Steuart Health and Link will also be present at the location to offer their products.
Commencing at 6 a. m. and extending till noon, this celebration of healthy living will include interactive sessions for adults and children, such as storytelling, tips on healthy cooking and a talk on healthy living by a doctor. The event will end with the presentation of awards to the winners of the competitive run and the children’s art competition.
“We expect this event to provide something of interest to every member of the family,” President of Sri Lanka Medical Association, Dr Iyanthi Abeywickrema said. “The concept of a healthy lifestyle has to engage children and adults equally, and our event is designed to promote this concept while providing an opportunity for participants to enjoy some wholesome fun.”
The ‘ Take the Test’ campaign, art competition and Health Run & Walk precede the 129thAnnual International Medical Congress of the Sri Lanka Medical Association scheduled from July 24 - 27.
The health run is supported by Platinum Sponsors Brandix and Nestlé and media partners MBC/ MTV and Wijeya Newspapers.
Members of the public who wish to participate in the competitive run should register before July 11 by calling or texting Dr Seneeth on 2693324 or 0769963869 or by emailing seneeth. slma@ gmail. com