News

An innovative healthcare social enterprise APNEE SEHAT (meaning “Our Health” in Punjabi) last week welcomed The Prince of Wales to offically launch its new Department of Health Pathfinder programme and outpatient suite which aims to address the needs for health education and access for South Asian communities in Coventry.

Apnee Sehat currently works with the communities in Leamington, Warwickshire and more recently Foleshill, Coventry, one of the most deprived areas in England, to raise awareness and screen for vascular disease risk, in order to reduce the risk of strokes, heart attacks and diabetes.

The unique new service has been commissioned by Coventry PCT and part funded by leading pharmaceutical companies (AstraZeneca, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novo Nordisk, sanofi-aventis and Schering Plough) and Social Enterprise grants.  Prince Charles was accompanied by the newly appointed National Clinical Director for Diabetes, Dr Rowan Hillson, Dr Michael Dixon, Trustee of the Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health and Chairman of the NHS Alliance, and Dr Keith Ridge, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer.

The magazine “Apnee Health” (meaning “Our Health”), which directly meets the needs of the extensive South Asian community within the UK through dietary advice including healthy GI (glycaemic index) recipes and lifestyle recommendations, was also launched.

Notes:

1. For further information, to speak to someone about the project or experts in the area please contact Red Door Communications:
Sebastian Stokes: 020 8392 6922 / 07889 757191, sstokes@rdcomms.com
Laura Clark: 020 8392 8054 / 07889 757191, lclark@rdcomms.com 

2. Apnee Sehat is one of the Department of Health's 26 Social Enterprise Pathfinder projects. The pathfinder programme provides financial support as well as access to wider support, for example business advice and training. Apnee Sehat has received £199,565 over the last two financial years.  More information can be found at www.dh.gov.uk.