The National ResearchInstitute warns that lifestyle diseases are fast becoming major causes of death for many Papua New Guineas.
Top ofthe list are high blood pressure and diabetes.
NRI’s Director Dr Thomas Webster advised his staff thatthe body is an important asset that needs to be taken care off.
During his health talk, Heart Specialist Dr Jack Amana warned against consuming too much sugary food items, and salt. He did encourage more exercise and healthy eating.
Then a donation of five hundred kina was also presented to Hospital Poroman Foundation by Dr Webster on behalf of NRI. The Foundation was set up to make awarethe dangers of lifestyle diseases.
Following thatostaff lined up to get a medical check-up. They checkedtheir weightoheight and blood pressure.
Out ofthe forty five staff members of NRI who underwentthe medical check, ten were identiflied as high risk diabetics. They were referred for scanning atthe Sir Beri Kidu Heart Foundation atthe Port Moresby General Hospital.
Deputy Director for Corporate Service Michael Pepena had a check. He was told he had high blood pressure, and was advised to get a full medical check later.
Lifestyle diseases were only detected inthe 80’s in Papua New Guinea however Dr Amana says today, statistics of people having lifestyle diseases such as diabetes is not a true indication.
He said most times people do not knowthey have diabetes. They learn of it only whenthey get a medical check due to illness.
Salome VincentoNational EMTV News
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