Volunteers are being trained to become ambassadors for the 10,000 Toes Campaign in Papua New Guinea.
Papua New Guinea Union Mission health director Pastor Zachary Lipen began the training workshops earlier this year in several local missions. The volunteers learned how to record height, weight and waist circumference, do blood sugar tests, record blood pressure and calculate body mass index and ideal body weight.
In April, church leaders, members, doctors, nurses and young people were trained to do assessments using the 10,000 Toes kits in Kavieng, New Ireland. At the end of the training, 134 people received certificates.
At Koki Adventist Church in Port Moresby, Pastor Lipen trained 109 volunteers in May. Another 17 people were certified in Popondetta, Northern Province, in June.
Pastor Lipen also did a presentation on the 10,000 Toes program to the West New Britain public health promotion team. He said the team was impressed with the program, seeing it as an alternative intervention to address lifestyle diseases in the country.
Pastor Lipen also visited the Central Provincial and National Capital District health authorities in Port Moresby and presented the 10,000 Toes concept to them.
Additionally, he met with Pacific Adventist University vice-chancellor Professor Lohi Matainaho to discuss a wellness centre concept.
Pastor Lipen will continue the training workshops for the rest of the year.
