The Rt.Hon. Deputy Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah has called on Members of Parliament to spare time for exercise so as to ensure good health.
Oulanyah said that many people give excuses that they do not have time to do physical exercise which he described as laziness.
“I pity those who say that they do not have time for exercise; unforteunately, the time to die will find you,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker made these remarks while opening the Health Camp aimed at testing Ministers and Members of Parliament for non-communicable diseases on Wednesday, 5th April 2017. The camp is being held in the Members Lounge at the Parliament.
Giving a personal testimony, Oulanyah said that two years ago, he noticed he wasn’t feeling well and made a decision to exercise and is now comfortable.
“I told myself that I will not be killed by these non-communicable diseases. I have worked hard, eat well and after testing, I expect a clean bill of health,” he added.
He appreciated the efforts by the Ministry of Health to bring the health test nearer to them and for offering to test the MPs for prevention of the diseases, that the same services should be extended countrywide.
“We need to make this campaign stronger and avail it to the rest of the country and to the people,” he rallied.
The Health Camp is screening and testing for diabetes, blood pressure, prostate cancer, lipid profile and checking for the body mass index among others.
The State Minister for Health in Charge of Primary Health Care, Hon. Joyce Moriku said that the prevalence of non-communicable diseases is rising in the country.
She called upon the Members of Parliament to test for these diseases early to ascertain their status. “It is important to know your condition. Let us have a culture of checking ourselves regularly,” she added.
The Director of Planning in the Ministry of Health, Dr Henry Mwebesa said that the Members of Parliament are acting as examples to the wider community adding that, “our people all over the country should test for these diseases”
He added that the Ministry intends to open wellness clinics in all the regional referral hospitals.
Over 135 MPs have been screened and tested over the two days. The Health Camp will be closed on Thursday, 6th April 2017.
