Sunday 14 November 2010

Free check up for a healthy life


Open Health Stall 13 November, 2010 - More than 200 people got checked for hypertension, non-communicable diseases and body mass index at an open health stall put up at the clock tower square on November 11.

Organised by the royal institute of health sciences (RIHS) to celebrate the birthday of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, the free service was targeted to create awareness on healthy living.

The 50 trainee students and staff invited people at the square to measure their height, weight and blood pressure; and those, who were in need of improvement, were advised on diets, living style and habits.

RIHS director, Dr Chencho Dorjee, said such health awareness is conducted fortnightly in places of public gathering like chorten, banks and centenary farmers market areas. “After checking blood pressure, height, weight and calculating body mass index, we can identify whether the person is healthy or not.”

“The unhealthy person is referred to the referral hospital and encouraged to eat healthy, exercise and live healthy, before he or she suffers from major health diseases,” he said, adding that the health awareness program can act as a preventive measure and raise awareness on health.

Unhealthy lifestyles, RIHS officials said, were the main risk factors for the development of heart diseases, hypertension, diabetes and strokes.

Along with the awareness programme, donation boxes were also put in place to raise funds for the Bumthang fire victims. Chencho Dorjee said such community service is the third core function of an institute after academics and research.

By Kuenga Tendar

http://www.kuenselonline.com/2010/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=17335

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