by Theckla Gunga – EM TV, Port Moresby
A three-hour walk to fight Tuberculosis and other preventable diseases was successfully completed by at least a thousand people, including National Capital District Governor, Powes Parkop.
The walk began at Barakau in the Kairuku Hiri electorate in Central and ended at Gaire Village. This is the second time in two years for the walk to be staged in Barakau.
It was a walk with the biggest turnout for an important and challenging issue currently facing PNG.
People from all suburbs in Port Moresby participated in the walk to join the fight against TB and to promote a healthier lifestyle.
The walk started at the Barakau junction, continuing into the nearby hills and past the mangroves, before moving onto the beach.
“Walk for Life” is an annual fun-filled event hosted in different parts of the world to address certain issues. In California, USA, the walk is known as the “Walk for Life West Coast” and is conducted in January to protest against abortion.
In Scotland, the walk is conducted in September to raise funds to fight HIV/ AIDS.
But in Port Moresby, NCD Governor Powes Parkop said the weekly walk is conducted every Sunday from Five Mile to Ela Beach, and the public is encouraged to participate.
Governor Parkop, a leading figure in the walk, said many people are too lazy to do simple exercises, which in the long run causes them to contract preventable diseases. He said the walk is one event that brings families together and emphasises the need to live a healthier lifestyle.
Parkop challenged other members of parliament to join the walk every Sunday in an awareness campaign to fight TB in PNG.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=eH_YgJRoWw4%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
