The World Health Organization (WHO), has stressed the importance of regular physical and active exercises, as one effective way of reducing the burden of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
WHO Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo who led members of staff, the Federal Ministry of Health, partners and the public on a walk round a section of the Central Business District Abuja to mark the 3rd edition of the Abuja Walk the Talk: Health For All Challenge’ on Saturday, said it presents another opportunity to promote health and the need to engage in a healthy life style.
He said: “This walk aims to raise awareness on health issues such as Non Communicable Diseases and need for exercises.
“The significance of the walk is to raise awareness and remind Nigerians to be active in order to reduce the burden of Non Communicable Diseases through physical activities.
“Today is an opportunity to get everybody on board to beat the burden of Non Communicable Diseases which are on the increase. We need to be active we are suppose to be active everyday at least for thirty minutes.”
This year’s walk is the first after emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic which occasioned a lockdown in many countries and a restriction in public gatherings.
According to Dr Mulombo, the Walk the Talk event which was a global event, also marks the beginning of activities of the World Health Assembly, the first physical World Health Assembly, with a focus on ‘Health for Peace and Peace for Health,’ holding in Geneva.
While noting that peace was not only at the centre of everything people do, but has a direct link to health, he noted that strengthening preparedness and responses to health emergencies were key themes of the 2022 Assembly.
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