A recent medical check up conducted for the Western Highlands police has revealed an alarming rate of lifestyle related diseases found from the police officers.
The medical check up was conducted by volunteers of doctors and health workers from the Mt Hagen General Hospital, during a week long health workshop that was attended by more than eighty police officers and their families.
Provincial Police Commander Jacob Kamiak expressed concern over the lack of basic health checks among his officers, and urged them to put more effort into taking care of their health.
The tests and checks were blood pressure checks, sugar level tests, HIV, and other special check-ups including counselling and referrals.
Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority’s Director for public health, Benson Safi said his team would like to continue more of these health workshops with the police force, and other government organizations as well. This is to help minimize public servants dying from lifestyle diseases at a very early age in life.
Police officers and their family members expressed gratitude and many of them have made bold stance to change their unhealthy habits and start living healthy.
PPC Kamiak declared the start of an active health and fitness program at the Kimininga Barracks on Sunday and starting this week, sporting and fitness activities in the barracks gym will begin.
By Gwendah Babah – EM TV News Cadet Journalist, Mt Hagen
