The Perak Health Department held a cancer awareness campaign at Ipoh’s iconic Polo Ground recently. The objectives of the campaign were three-fold: to create awareness in the public; provide them with information on the different kinds of cancer and to impress upon them the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Over a thousand people, mostly members of the public, school children and members of non-governmental organisations, took part in the campaign.
The organisers invited a number of agencies to set up booths to provide information about the dreaded disease. Among the participants were Lembaga Penduduk dan Pembangunan Keluarga Negara, Perak Palliative Care Society and Perak Women for Women Society.
Campaign organising chairperson, Puan Hartini Abdul Rahim said to Ipoh Echo, “We decided to incorporate an aerobic workout and a walk around the park to encourage the public to exercise. A few minutes of brisk walking could make a difference.”
Other side shows included a cooking demonstration and a talk on ways to manage stress. The health department provided free health and dental screenings to the public. The sight of the department’s humongous mobile dental clinic was the undisputed crowd-puller.
Present at the launch were the Assistant Director of Perak Health Department, Dr Rahimi bin Goon and the Department of Non-Contagious Diseases Assistant Director, Dr Asmah Zainal Abidin.
Yvette
