4 May 2007
Regular exercise, better eating habits, stress management and a drastic
cut-down on smoking and drinking these are the basic changes that will improve
the health of the people of Gauteng says the MEC for Health, Brian Hlongwa.
Speaking at the launch of the Gauteng Healthy Living Campaign at Gallagher
Estate on Thursday, 3 May 2007, Hlongwa said "people must begin to take
responsibility for their own health status. We cannot continue to think that
only hospitals and medicines will cure us. We must take charge of our own
lives."
Hlongwa said he believed that more than 75% of patients who arrive at
Gauteng hospitals suffer from illnesses that can be prevented through healthy
lifestyles.
"We are treating people for ailments caused by obesity, stress, lack of
exercise, bad nutrition and the abuse of alcohol, smoking and other harmful
substances."
"If we can eliminate these factors we will bring about a revolution in
healthcare in Gauteng," he says.
"For too long the perception has been that exercise, stress management and
good nutrition are only relevant to the rich and the affluent in society. This
is not true. This campaign will help people living in townships and suburbs, in
informal settlements and in the urban flatlands to take control of their
lifestyles and improve their health through simple and inexpensive
methods."
Hlongwa said the campaign will tackle the key indicators of a healthy
lifestyle namely:
* regular exercise
* no smoking
* no substance abuse or drug use
* responsible consumption of alcohol
* stress management
* good nutrition
* safe sexual practices
"We want to reach every person in every household in Gauteng and we want to
show them easy and practical ways in which they can change their lifestyles
around and improve their health," said Hlongwa.
The Gauteng Department of Health will send out teams of community healthcare
workers into every area of the province to conduct a thorough "health census"
and to provide households with information, advice and ongoing support to ditch
unhealthy habits and switch to a positive approach.
"We have programmes aimed at women, the elderly, men at their places of
work, the unemployed, the disabled, the youth and our very young children. This
is going to be a health revolution that will spread throughout our province,"
said the MEC.
In the coming weeks the Department will hold extensive talks with a wide
variety of organisations that can support this programme including the health
and fitness industries, medical schemes, professional bodies, community
organisations, churches and sports clubs.
"We want to see all of them making a contribution, coming up with ideas,
sponsoring programmes and encouraging people to change their lifestyles."
Hlongwa said the healthy living campaign does not mean that the Department
of Health will lose its focus on the delivery of quality healthcare services to
the people of Gauteng. "Obviously there are still many patients in our
facilities that require specialist treatment or dedicated drugs. All our
regular services will continue as before. But through the promotion of healthy
living we want to turn the system on its head. We want to reach people with
health style messages in their homes, before they reach our facilities as
patients," said Hlongwa.
For more information contact:
Zanele Mngadi
Cell: 082 330 1148
Issued by: Department of Health, Gauteng Provincial Government
4 May 2007
