Walking to healthy lifestyle

A WALKATHON to promote health awareness and also to commemorate the opening of the new Health Promotion Centre, Berakas, was held yesterday at the Ministry of Health (MoH).

The walkathon, organised by the Laboratory Services Department had the male participants on a four-kilometre route, while the women walked a distance of 3.5-kilometre. The event was one of the many activities scheduled for the Healthy Lifestyle Campaign run throughout the year conducted by the ministry.

According to Denny, the public relations officer at the Ministry of Health, walkathons such as this one was held by the ministry once every two to four months to promote the awareness of living a healthy lifestyle. He added that the timing of this particular walkathon was a great opportunity to publicise the opening of the new Health Promotion Centre which was opened to the public since Saturday.

Participants of the walkathon included friends and families of the staff members and invited guests such as the penghulus, sponsors and business partners.

One of the participants was Lim, marketing director of KOSI(B) Sdn Bhd, a company which provides supplies for the ministry.

He told The Brunei Times that the walkathon is a very good idea to promote healthy living especially among the youth. He added that this was especially true in this day and age where there is "a lot unhealthy (factors)".

A 10-minute light warm-up session led by personnel from the MoH preceded the walkathon.

Also taking part in the event was the guest of honour, the Minister of Health, Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman.Efforts to raise awareness for the opening of the Health Promotion Centre continued into the afternoon with the 'Fun Day' event held at the centre itself.

A number of different carnival games including a mini golf game, a football shootout and board puzzles were available to provide fun for the whole family.

Visitors who participated in the games stood a chance to win prizes such as water bottles, skipping ropes, food thermos and other items of memorabilia. (MJH1)