- Organizes Fitness Walk For Workers
BY RITA OYIBOKA
Over 300 public/civil servants participated in a maiden fitness walk organized by the Delta State Government, through the Ministry of Health, to promote health and wellness.
The Fitness Walk, which took place yesterday, received approval from the Head of Service, Mr Reginald Bayoko, and support from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Mosury Fitness Club.
The event commenced with participants proceeding from the Cenotaph to the Mariam Babaginda Road, DBS Road, Okpanam Road, and Summit Road, before returning to the Cenotaph in Asaba, Delta State.
Speaking at the occasion, the Non-Communicable Diseases Program Coordinator, Dr Rita Opene, talked about the initiative’s goals: “As part of our ongoing initiative to promote healthy lifestyles among public servants, we organized this fitness walk.
“This effort was prompted by concerns raised during last year’s medical screening exercise, which revealed that half of the over 2000 civil servants screened were overweight or obese, putting them at risk of non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and heart issues.
“Our objective is to transform the mindset and lifestyle of public servants from sedentary to active, empowering them to make healthier choices and reduce their risk of chronic diseases,” Opene added that the walk would become a quarterly event to ensure sustained engagement for healthier lifestyle choices among public servants.
Also, the World Health Organization (WHO) Coordinator in Delta State, Dr Faith Ireye, praised the initiative as beneficial for state civil/public servants: “Physical inactivity is one of the leading risk factors for non-communicable diseases worldwide.
“Events like this are vital in raising awareness and encouraging people to incorporate physical activity into their daily routines. This is why the World Health Organisation partnered with the Delta State government to support the initiative,” she said
The fitness walk concluded with a brief health talk at the Cenotaph, where participants received tips on maintaining an active lifestyle and the benefits of regular exercise. The Ministry of Health also provided free health screenings, including blood pressure.
