THE Ministry of Education, Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, in observance of World Health Day 2016, Thursday kicked off its designated “50 Days of Activism” with a colourful and spirited Awareness Walk and Mini Health Fair in the capital Georgetown.The walk which moved off from outside the Ministry of Education attracted hundreds of youth drawn from about 11 schools across Regions Four, Six and 10.
Participating schools included Bishops High School, St. Joseph High School, Campbellville Secondary, Charlestown Secondary, Lodge Secondary, Dolphin Secondary, North Ruimveldt Secondary, East Ruimveldt Secondary, Adolescent Health Unit (Region 10), and Adolescent Youth Friendly Space, Region six.
Moving with pomp and splendour, the students moved through the city and eventually culminated at the Cultural Centre compound for the Mini Health Fair on the tarmac.
The health fair received solid support from the Ministry of Public Health which set up and manned several booths. Participating agencies included the Chronic Diseases Unit; Vaccination Unit; Adolescent Health Care Unit; Food Policy Unit; Dental Care; Eye Care; Vector Control; Maternal and Child Care Unit and the Emergency Unit.
World Health Day, this year was observed under the theme “Beat Diabetes” and the Health Fair, placed much emphasis on Diabetes, with tips on the foods that trigger diabetes, recommended diet and other issues.
Director of Youth (Ag), Ms. Gillian Frank delivered brief remarks to the students assembled, addressing among other things, the background to World Health Day, this Year’s theme – How diet can trigger Non-Communicable Diseases, obesity and the role of exercise.
She said the objective of the programme was to create increased awareness about the rise in Non-Communicable diseases and mental illness and its staggering burden and consequences, particularly in Guyana.
World Health Day is observed on April 7 every year, when the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) and World Health Organization (WHO) draw people’s attention to the importance of global health.
Each year a new theme is chosen to run the celebrations and that theme runs throughout the year.
World Health Day targets all the health issues on a global basis for which several programmes are organized yearly by the WHO and other related health organizations at various places such as schools, colleges and other crowded places.
It is celebrated to remember the establishment of the World Health Organization, as well as draw the attention of people towards the major health issues in the world.