Lack of awareness on balanced diet
Published on: Saturday, June 13, 2015
Pitas: Generally, the people lack awareness on the importance of good health and basic knowledge on a balanced diet. This was one of the findings of Pitas Assemblyman Datuk Bolkiah Ismail when he visited remote villages in the district.Speaking to about 200 people at the opening of the Women's Health Camp, Thursday, he said: "A balanced diet is one that gives our body the nutrients it needs to function properly. For balanced nutrition, you require four food types, namely carbohydrates, proteins, fruits and vegetables. "Taking fruits and vegetables will strengthen your immunity to minor ailments like flu. And elderly people here must be reminded to take calcium to help prevent osteoporosis."From his observation, Bolkiah, who is the Assistant Minister of Industrial Development, said residents inland lack protein intake from fish because they are not accessible to the sea, while those in coastal areas suffer from gout resulting from excessive uric acid in the body because they consume too much seafood like cuttlefish and prawns.
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"I think you need to strike a balance. If you don't take fish in your diet, you will suffer from iodine deficiency which causes thyroid problems. Fish is among the foods rich in iodine," he told the participants.Bolkiah thanked the MPWS Health Committee for having chosen Pitas for the project, after Penampang (2008), Beluran (2013) and Ranau (2014) so women in the district would not be lagging behind."As Wakil Rakyat, I feel that a project of this nature is important and meaningful to the community, especially the womenfolk who must be equipped with the necessary knowledge to raise healthy families."Mothers are prime carers and nurturers, and if they don't know the practices of healthcare such as proper nutrition and a balanced diet, it will be difficult for them to take good care of their husbands and children," he pointed out, adding that healthy mothers produce healthy families with high IQ children.
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The Assistant Minister was happy to note the participation of some 40 men comprising the Pitas District Chief, Hj Juki Imam Nanuh, Pitas Community Development Leader, Najib Malai Ahmad, Community Development Officer, Abd Manap Bakusai, native chiefs, native chief representatives, village chiefs and chairmen of village security and development committee (JKKK).The event at Dewan Serbaguna Pitas was organised by the Sabah Women's Advisory Council (MPWS) Health Committee with the cooperation of Pitas District Office and the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN).
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Chairperson of the MPWS Health Committee, Dr Maria Suleiman said Pitas was the fourth district where the health camp has been held to raise awareness among the rural populace on the importance of health and availability of health services."The objective of our Health Committee, among others, is to complement the Government's efforts in providing the best health services for women. On this score, MPWS agreed to hold this health programme in Pitas in line with the Government's National Blue Ocean Strategy," she said.Dr Maria added that thanks to the Pitas District Office, there were participants from remote villages like Kg Mandurian, Kg Runui Lokos and Kg Narandang, apart from Kg Kabatasan, Kg Salimpodon Darat, Kg Salimpodon Laut, Kg Bilangau Besar, Kg Bilangau Kecil, Kg Tambilidon and Kg Saab.She also commended a team of nurses (from the Pitas Health Clinic and Kota Marudu's Maternal Child Health Clinic), who conducted free blood pressure tests.Meanwhile, she enlightened the participants on the role and functions of MPWS, saying it is the highest advisory body to the Government, and serves as a "Think Tank" and "Catalyst" for women's development in the State.Also present were the Chairperson of the Pitas District Single Mothers Association, Heilen Majin of Kg Bilangau Besar and the Chief Nurse of Klinik Nur Sejahtera, LPPKN.Earlier, Pitas District Officer Bubudan Majalu described the health camp as a good programme, benefiting not just the women but also the menfolk.Welcoming the presence of male participants, he said : "We had encouraged them to come to the health camp together with their wives. It is vital to know our health status as we grow older."Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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