SLMA ‘Run and Walk’
View(s):‘Clean Air for Healthy Living’ is the vibrant theme of the Annual Health Run & Walk 2017 of the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) being held in collaboration with the Sri Lanka College of Pulmonologists on Sunday, June 4 from 6.30 a.m. onwards at the BMICH in Colombo 7.
With President Maithripala Sirisena as the Chief Guest, the Health Run & Walk commemorates World Environment Day which falls on June 5 and World Anti-Tobacco Day on May 31, as well as World Asthma Day which fell on May 2.
The SLMA headed by Prof. Chandrika Wijeyaratne along with the College of Pulmonologists aims to promote the concept of ‘clean air’, while creating awareness on neglected non-communicable diseases such as asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and occupational lung diseases.
As such, the Health Run & Walk aims to educate the public on the importance of clean air and its impact on a healthy life, in a time when environmental pollution is rampant and respiratory infections have reached epidemic proportions. The colourful event will feature floats, with the participants walking to the beat of the army and navy bands.
“With COPD prevention being a major issue that needs to be addressed, the causative association with tobacco, bio-mass fuels, other indoor-air pollutants, dangers of air-conditioned spaces, outdoor air pollution and unhealthy air in schools and workplaces need to be addressed more openly,” an SLMA spokesperson said, adding that it is essential to increase awareness and empower the public on combating this menace.
The spokesperson said that clean air will help minimize the adverse effects of air pollution on people’s lungs. A clean air initiative will also help ensure a less-polluted environment for asthmatics, thus reducing air-borne allergens, irritants, toxins and infections leading to life-threatening exacerbations.
Schools, universities, environmental societies, non-governmental organizations and the security forces are expected to participate in the Health Run & Walk in addition to health sector personnel.
The day’s agenda will include:
Health Run – A competition mainly for professional athletes and interested participants. Yoga demonstrations and warm-up exercises prior to the run.
Health Walk and Parade — For health professionals and the public.
Free health screening — Will include medical, vision and hearing testing and physiotherapy, dietary and nutritional advice. The College of Pulmonologists will conduct pre- and post-run spirometry tests, as this is an essential investigation in the diagnosis and management of asthma and COPD.
Interactive sessions — With specialist doctors and nutritionists and also Sports Ministry officials.
‘Environmental Zone’ — Will showcase various clean-air initiatives, with the highlights including exhibits on the ‘Sick Building Syndrome’, the ‘Green Hospital’ initiative and the effect of nanoparticles in the atmosphere on lung health. Some stalls will feature clean energy and vehicle emission testing and also solid waste management, the adverse effects of plastic and polythene burning etc. The stalls will be by the Central Environmental Authority, the Environment and Mahaweli Development Ministry (Air Resource Management Centre), Clean Air Sri Lanka, Motor Traffic Department (vehicle emission testing) and the National Building Research Organization.
Street drama — Conducted by the National Authority on Tobacco & Alcohol (NATA).
Healthy food stalls and a Kids’ Zone.
Meanwhile, an art competition has been held among pre-school and schoolchildren in three age-categories on the theme ‘Clean air for healthy living’. While the best artworks will be displayed at the venue, prizes will be awarded to them.
The SLMA is the apex professional body representing medical doctors in Sri Lanka. Its first Health Run & Walk was held in 2012 in commemoration of the 125th Anniversary and since then, it has been an annual feature held in conjunction with the Annual Medical Congress.
For more information, please contact the Run & Walk Project Coordinator Dr. Sasangi Alwis on 011-2693324/071-7012464 or at sasangipcslma@gmail.com.