The National Health week was celebrated during the week of August 25th – 29th, with the theme of ‘Preventing Life Style Diseases’ placing special emphasis on life style diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart attack. The target group was the working classes particularly the senior managers. This was because many times they are so busy that simple preventive measures such as exercise, having less stress, healthy diet are not adhered to and are frequently eating on the run.

The Hospital’s Social Committee was the drive behind these by organising basic blood checks, high blood pressure checks and also health talks were given during individual checks. Additional posters depicting life style diseases were also posted up. This event took place on the hospital lawn in the mornings. Invitations to all business houses to attend were arranged in advance resulting in a good turnout, however, having said that most that attended were staff and not the managers. After lunch all hospital staff was grouped into various teams and a game of volleyball was played with a 10 minutes warm up exercise conducted by the Physiotherapy Department. There was a good turnout and all staff voice their appreciation for the evens organised. The staff games are continuing every Wednesday afternoon as a means of preventing lifestyle disease within the health sector and also to foster good team off and on court.

Ms Theresa Palou
Pathology Services

NB: For additional photos from National Health Week 2008 at Goroka General Hospital please click here.