Secretary for health Clement Totavun said cases of lifestyle diseases are increasing every month. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Johnny Blades
The Department of Health in the autonomous Papua New Guinea region of Bougainville has launched a programme called 'Ten Thousand Toes' to combat lifestyle diseases.
Secretary for health Clement Totavun said cases of lifestyle diseases are increasing every month in Bougainville and this programme aims at both prevention and health promotion.
Dr Totavun said life style diseases such as some cancers, diabetes and high blood pressure are increasing due to people not taking care of themselves.
"One of the main reasons is that people are ignorant and they do not know how to do the right things to prevent themselves from developing these life style diseases," he said in a statement.
The program will involve screening centres in Buka, Arawa, and Buin town as well as Kokopau, to conduct free testing for the public.
He said once tests on blood pressure, blood sugar and so on are done intervention plans can be put together.
Dr Totavun said the testing will include physical activities and have a dietary component, to teach people how to prepare good meals that will not negatively affect the body.