Emulate KK on lifestyle - Lungu
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has urged Zambians to emulate first president Dr Kenneth David Kaunda who has lived a disciplined and healthy lifestyle. And President Lungu said there is need to address the issue of obesity which had continued to increase in Zambia more especially among children. Mr Lungu said this yesterday when he launched the 2018 National Health Week commemoration under the theme, “health for all: leaving no one behind” at the Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC) in Lusaka.
President Lungu called on all citizens to participate in the weeklong programme in a bid to address various health issues affecting the populace all round.
He advised Zambians to learn from Dr Kaunda who has amply demonstrated the benefits of a prudent disciplined lifestyle if they are to live a healthy life.
He said as the nation commemorated the 2018 national health week, it was important to analyse and resolve to address the root causes of ill health as well as examine and uphold factors that contribute to good health and wellbeing.
He said the risk factors for chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart diseases, chronic respiratory diseases and cancers are well known, and largely preventable, especially those associated with tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol.
“Not only are non-communicable diseases very costly to treat, but they rob us of the most productive members of our society, largely at the peak of their productivity,” Mr Lungu said.
The President also noted the ever increasing prevalence of obesity and being overweight in Zambia, especially among children.
“Obesity rates in children are rising several times faster than in the adult population. It is therefore, incumbent upon all of us to curtail this trend. We cannot pass on to our children a future of ill-health, by adopting a laissez faire parenting attitude,” the President said.
Speaking earlier, Health Minister Dr Chitalu Chilufya commended President Lungu for his continued political will in promoting the good health and wellbeing of Zambians.
And World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative, Dr Nathan Bakyaita said the UN in Zambia will continue to support the Zambian government in programmes that promote good health.
President Lungu who took part in aerobics was accompanied by, First Lady Esther Lungu, Presidential Affairs Minister Freedom Sikazwe, Dr Chilufya, Minister of Youth and Sports Moses Mawere, Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo, as well as senior government and PF officials.