The South Asian Pharma Network Association (SAPNA), an organization that aims to improve the lives of South Asians in Canada through a variety of educational and health programs, was launched Thursday at the Canadian headquarters of Glaxo SmithKline in Meadowvale.
The group is planning to launch a kick-off event on healthy South Asian cooking in Mississauga in August.
SAPNA, which means dream in Hindi, was formed after professionals, some from the pharmaceutical sector in the GTA, decided to act on information that South Asians in Canada are at risk for many diseases.
Recent statistics shows South Asians are prime candidates when it comes to coronary artery disease, diabetes and others illnesses, said Dr. Rav Kumar,
vice-president, research and development for GSK and president of SAPNA.
“We want to essentially educate and empower the South Asian community in the GTA so that their awareness of important health issues is increased,” Kumar said. “Through awareness, South Asians can better understand how they can get help and treatment and overall take better control of their health.”
Kumar said the organization will host seminars, a full-day South Asian health fair and at the grass roots level conduct classes on healthy cooking to people in the comfort of their homes.
“Our vision is to dream we can make some change to improve the health of South Asian,” Kumar said.
For more information, visit www.mysapna.org.
rpanjwani@mississauga.net
