Heart-related disease is the top main cause of deaths in Sri Lanka. With a motive of contributing in smaller yet effective ways to eliminate this cause, Fashion Bug, one of Sri Lanka’s leading retail clothing chain with over 16 outlets island-wide, recently donated an electrocardiogram (ECG) machine to the Bandarawella District Hospital as part of its continuous social responsible activities. 

According to a recent report released by the Stanford South Asian Translational Heart Initiative, people from South Asian countries have a four times greater risk of heart disease than the general population and has a greater chance of having a heart attack before the age of 50.

Mr. Shabier Subian, Director of Fashion Bug, said ‘The equipment was a long term requirement of the cardiology unit of the hospital and we were delighted to have come forward to sponsor this worthy cause. Health is priority to every individual and beyond that is the access to such facilities and treatments.’
The ECG machine was handed over to Dr. D M Dharmasena Dissanayaka, District Medical Officer- Bandarawela District Hospital at the Health Ministry auditorium by Mr. Chathura Senaratne, Member of Parliament. Mr. Srilaal Jayantha Rohana - Secretary to Mr. Chathura Senaratne whilst Dr. S H M Faraaz - Deputy General Manager Fashion Bug, Mr. Namal Ekanayaka - Human Resource Development Manager of Fashion Bug and Mr. S M Faham, Assistant Marketing Manager Fashion Bug also participated at this event.

Coronary heart disease deaths in the country reached 32,582 or 25.74% of total deaths as per the WHO report published during mid last year. Various reports state that men appear to face a slightly higher threat of the disease than women, and that even children have high levels of cholesterol and lipoproteins in their blood which are two main reasons for the cause said Dr. Faraaz.

Apart from its various CSR activities conducted across many domains, Fashion Bug has played a vital role in contributing to the health sector as a corporate citizen. Maharagama Cancer Hospital, Lady Ridgeway, Colombo Eye Hospital, and Ragama Hospital have all benefitted from its initiatives with the most recent one being donating dash boards to the Ragama Hospital.

Fashion Bug’s signature CSR initiative is the award winning Sisu Dirimaga programme which has benefitted 20 schools and over 7000 students as of today, with a goal of conducting these programmes in over 120 schools and over 100,000 students across the country. Recently the company held the all island art competition titled Roo Siththam for the 5th consecutive year.

Additionally the company very recently donated a kiddies’ play area for students of WP/JP/Wijayagosha Vidyalaya and a ceremony was held with the presence of honorable guests, parents, and children.

Fashion Bug commenced its operations since 1994 as a partnership business with 4 partners and a staff population of just 15, and today it possesses over 16 stores throughout the country with a workforce of over 1250 employees, and stands among the leading clothing stores in Sri Lanka catering with the fashion motto of 'Changing life Styles’.