By Juliet Umeh
Nigerians have been charged to take responsibility for their health by walking at least 150 minutes in a week in order to impact their health positively.
Also, citizens were urged to eat right, drink a lot of water and get enough quality sleep to prevent illnesses.
Medical experts gave the advice at the weekend, when Waka Community International Foundation and Q-Life Family Clinic in collaboration with Health Emergency Initiative, HEI, held their 2024 walkout in Lagos.
According to the organisers, the walk was to sensitise Nigerians on healthy living. Also, it was held in memory of the late Chief Medical Director of Q-Life Family Clinic.
The participants commenced the road walk from the Catholic Church of Divine Mercy on Admiralty Way, Lekki, to Ikoyi, and back to the church.
Preventive care
Speaking, the Chief Medical Director of Q-Life Family Clinic, Dr. Olowojolu Olayinka, said they are focused on preventive care.
She noted that people can prevent health issues before they even come up by themselves.
Her words: “What we are trying to do is to encourage people to be more physically active. And if you can walk up to 150 minutes in a week alone, that is enough to have a positive impact on your health.
“And this walk we did is about 150 minutes or thereabouts.
“Doing it once a year is not enough. But at least by organising the walk, we can just pick people’s interest. So they can start to take responsibility for their health.”
Also speaking, the Founder of Waka Community International Foundation, Mr. Lorenz Mba, said the foundation is simply committed to building a community of people who are leaner, fitter, healthier and ultimately happier through walking, eating healthy in small portions, hydrating enough and getting adequate sleep.
“If you don’t get adequate sleep your brain cells eat themselves. Sleep deprivation is very harmful to health.
“So, walk, eat responsibly in small portions, rehydrate enough and get adequate sleep. And you’ll be leaner, fitter, healthier and ultimately happier and more productive to your community and to your family.
“So, we are here to build consciousness in the lives and affairs of Nigerians. Health is the ultimate wealth. Without health you have nothing,” Mba added.
First aid
Also, the Executive Director of HEI, Mr Paschal Achunine said the idea of the walk is to raise awareness about healthy living, keeping a good lifestyle, and exercising. It is also to call attention to basic measures required to handle emergencies.
Achunine said: “So part of this programme is to raise awareness that there are also Nigerians who are unable to access basic health care. And this collaboration reinforces the need for all of us to join hands together to save lives.”
Meanwhile, the high point of the event was when a free 90 minutes First Responders session was provided by HEI.
The organisation also provided CPR and first aid tips that could be helpful during prehospital emergencies.
Source: Vanguard
