More initiatives to improve healthy lifestyles

Policemen could be given a new task if the intention of the health minister materializes.

Minister Julius Timothy has plans to engage police officers in suburban communities during early morning exercise sessions  as security for persons, who want to maintain a healthy life.

“I am thinking that we can arrange something with the police at Goodwill and at Newtown … in terms of the exercise, the best time is in the early mornings and some persons may not want to venture out too early. If we have a few policemen leading the way, we can get more persons involved and it will also promote safety,” he said, in his remarks at a health walk on Sunday.

Timothy said the police commissioner will be informed in that regard.

Meantime, he has also called on men to be more responsible for their health.

He recognized that not enough men are responsible for their health.

He said it was evident in the low turnout of men at the health walk.

“I want the men of Dominica to know that we are responsible for our health. We cannot blame the ministry of health when things go wrong in our life. First and foremost, the responsibility is ours to keep ourselves healthy,” he said

According to Timothy, in Dominica, many persons are suffering from non-communicable diseases but they are preventable.

“People are suffering from high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and prostate cancer…. all these diseases are based on our lifestyle. If we decide to exercise and eat healthy, those diseases to a large extent will go away,” he said.

Meantime Mayor of Roseau His Worship Cecil Joseph said he is hoping the event will become a monthly event.

A number of other officials participated in the event, including Parliamentary Representative for the Roseau South Consistency Ambrose George.

The walk was held to commemorate Health Day under the theme “A Thousand Cities, A Thousand Lives.”

– DNO Correspondent