30 Nov 2015

Walking should be a lifestyle, a way of living and a trend towards healthy living, says the Minister of Health, Ms Dorcas Makgato. Ms Makgato said this upon completion of a 15km walk as part of the ministry’s initiative themed: Healthy walk.

The walk started from the Bokaa traffic lights to North Gate Mall, where ministry employees and other organisations and the community participated.  “This walking initiative will be held monthly by my employees and the community at large. It is our latest vision of focusing on preventative care rather than curative care.

The initiative is also in line with the ministry’s message: “Your health is your responsibility,” she said. She said it was crucial to perform activities which empower individuals to play a part in ensuring that they remain healthy thus reducing medical expenses.

“As the Minister of Health, I must be exemplary, it starts with me, hence if I can do it, you can also do it as walking is the easiest exercise,” she said. On her part, the principal health officer at the Ministry of Health, Ms Kelebogile Motlhanka, thanked the minister’s efforts in spearheading the initiative aimed at preventing diseases.

She said it was fortunate that the walk fell within the month of November, which commemorates men’s health. “We are campaigning for men’s health as in most cases our brothers are often not targeted with regard to health promotion issues. Today, as from November 25, we are commemorating the 16 days of activism against violence of women and children,” she said.

Minister Makgato noted that gender based violence had been identified to be a driver for most of the health problems, including non-communicable and communicable diseases. Ends