Health awareness walk held in Katlehong

A health awareness day was enjoyed at Ramokonopi Clinic in Katlehong on Friday, September 13.

September 26, 2019

Aaron Damane 2 minutes read

After the walk members of the community took part in aerobics.

The day, which attracted hundreds of community members, kicked off with a health awareness talk. This was followed by a 10km fun walk from the clinic, via Sontonga Road, to Katlehong Customer Care Centre and back.

The walk was followed by aerobics on the clinic’s premises, and young and old took part.

According to Neo Giwu, event organiser and health promotion practitioner at the clinic, the aim of the walk was to encourage the community to take care of their health.

ALSO READ:

Kasi Art Projects hosts 5km Health Awareness Walk

“More beds are occupied in the clinic by patients with high blood pressure and patients suffering from heart-related diseases than HIV and TB patients. What concerns us as the staff is that high blood pressure can be managed by exercising, drinking at least two litres of water a day and eating healthy.

That is why we had the health awareness talk earlier. We wanted the community to be aware of how they can control high blood pressure,” said Giwu.

Agnes Mapeshwana (82) from Lotsha Support Group, the oldest person to take part and complete the walk, said she felt good about the exercise.

Lotsha Support Group is a non-profit organisation that encourages elderly people to exercise.

“I feel good and healthy after I took part in the walk from beginning to end. Most of the people at my age suffer from different diseases, but I do not have that problem because I exercise from Monday to Wednesday.

“Exercising gets rid of stress because you have enough time to mingle with other elderly people instead of sitting at home and worrying about things that are not going right,” said Mapeshwana.

Mapeshwana encouraged young and old to exercise as it reduces the chances of being affected by stress-related diseases.

Theto Mthembi (26), one of the youngest people there on the day, said she jumped at the opportunity to take part in the walk.

ALSO READ:

Walk held to raise awareness against drug abuse

“I am one of the young people who care about their life. And I would like other young people of my age to start living a healthy lifestyle. By so doing they will be minimising chances of being attacked by diseases,” said Mthembi.