Social issues and health awareness is being promoted and talked about at a sporting tournament underway in Port Moresby.
The Southern Region 9s tournament has provided an avenue for promoting social issues such as HIV/AIDS, Violence Against Women and Girls, including general medical checks.
Tournament organisers said, “It is our responsibility to show respect to women and girls as partners in life and communities.”
The Mental Health Division of the Health Department is part of this important drive with Dr Kura David-Ravu highlighting the importance of Mental Health and related issues. Together with two nursing officers from the Cancer Clinic -Port Moresby General Hospital, they are reaching out to local Central Province women.
She said the tournament has attracted many women into the city and is timely they can receive general medical advice and checks offered free-of-charge.Women, young girls and the menfolk have been given the opportunity to present themselves at the medical set up to have weight and height checks, blood pressure.
“Central Province does not have a big hospital and getting checks for lifestyle diseases and other major illnesses is delayed. So the medical team present is giving our local people the opportunity to check themselves and stay healthy,” Dr Ravu said.
She said since Sunday 18 December, almost 100 people mostly women have visited the medical booth.
“The women not only enjoy the rugby league matches but the health checks ensures they stay healthy and know their medical status.”
