Public warned, seek guidance before engaging in any exercises

Health authorities in North‑Western Province have urged members of the public to access physiotherapy services to improve quality of life and help prevent non‑communicable diseases. Speaking during the World Physiotherapy Day commemoration held in Solwezi District, Provincial…

Health authorities in North‑Western Province have urged members of the public to access physiotherapy services to improve quality of life and help prevent non‑communicable diseases.

Speaking during the World Physiotherapy Day commemoration held in Solwezi District, Provincial Public Health Specialist Kizito Sampa said engaging in exercises promotes fitness and supports a healthy life for all age groups.

Dr Sampa explained that lack of exercise has a significant impact on health adding that it leads to cardiovascular diseases.

He said the country has been recording an increase in non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension stressing the need for members of the public to engage in physical exercises to help prevent them.

Dr Sampa has  encouraged members of the public who may suffer from diseases such as stroke to urgently seek attention at health facilities in their localities.

He stated that the physiotherapy department is working closely with the psychiatric department, noting that physical health has a bearing on mental health.

“Today we are raising awareness for physiotherapy and suicide prevention because these two are negatively affecting people and the impact is negatively affecting lives,” he noted.

Solwezi General Hospital Senior Physiotherapist Emmanuel Mikiloni has cautioned members of the public against engaging in physical exercises without guidance from health practitioners.

He added that members of the public are encouraged to get a prescription for exercises they can engage in which are in line with their age and health condition.

“People should not just start exercising without guidance because exercises can affect their bodies,” Mr Mikiloni emphasised.

Solwezi General Hospital Clinical Psychiatrist Chongo Chanda has called for concerted effort in raising awareness on suicide.

He has expressed sadness that lives have continued to be lost to suicide because people fear opening up.

Mr Chanda has encouraged people to seek mental health attention when faced with mental health issues, further calling on members of the public to desist from discriminating against people suffering from mental health conditions but to offer them support to help them heal.