Be mindful of your health, says Sir Michael

By GYNNIE KERO
Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio says the growing number of Papua New Guineans suffering and dying from lifestyle diseases is alarming.
Those with kidney and renal-related diseases were no exception, he said.
“As a nation, we need to do all we can to ensure that our most important resource, the human resource, is well taken care of and healthy,” Sir Michael said..
“We also need to prioritize our healthcare system to be able to provide effective treatment that is affordable and accessible to every citizen of this country.
“We can no longer turn a blind eye to a health catastrophe that is fast approaching and that will impact greatly our social, economic and future advancement as a nation.
“As individuals, the onus is on each and every one of us to be mindful of our health, in particular what we take into our bodies. A simple step as changing one’s diet to include more fruits and vegetables and less processed food, drinking a lot of water and avoiding alcohol and fizzy drinks, will go a long way towards improving one’s physical health and in the long run, ensure longevity and a healthy population for our nation.
“Furthermore, we need to educate our children about healthy lifestyle at an early age so they grow up with healthy eating habits as part of their daily routine into adulthood.
“The reality is that kidney disease is present in our society,” he said.
Speaking as the patron for the PNG Kidney Foundation during a fundraising dinner in Port Moresby last Friday, Sir Michael said:
“That is why the effort of the PNG Kidney Foundation is highly commendable and deserves our support.” Let us do something now to curb the increase of kidney diseases.
“Your presence tonight means a lot to the foundation and your contributions toward this event is very much appreciated.
“The PNG Kidney Foundation is doing just that and needs to be supported throughout the country. (The) fundraising will help the foundation meet many of its objectives. The main achievement will be the building of its own dialysis centre to provide affordable hemodialysis to the growing number of people who have kidney disease in Papua New Guinea.
“The centre will also be the hub that will generate and make available useful information about lifestyle diseases, that could affect kidney health and prevention techniques throughout our country.” Sir Michael said.
Representatives from both the private sector and government turned up at the occasion last Friday to support the foundation.
According to the PNG Kidney Foundation chairman Martin Poh, it needed to raise K2.6 million for the operation of its new centre at 7-Mile as well as more dialysis equipment.