The 10,000 Toes campaign has been relaunched on New Ireland, Papua New Guinea, after a period of inactivity. The initiative, which focuses on raising awareness and combating lifestyle diseases, is being revived under the leadership of newly appointed health manager for New Ireland Province Debbian Willie.
To support the campaign, Ms Willie has established a committee of five members. The group held its first planning meeting at the New Britain New Ireland Mission (NBNIM) conference office in Kavieng on March 28.
Committee members include Dr Oswald Harrison, provincial health coordinator, and Conrad Stanis, a nurse and public health officer who also serves as the provincial 10,000 Toes coordinator.
Dr Harrison shared that the region faces rising cases of tuberculosis, HIV and AIDS, leprosy, diabetes and cancer. He emphasised the potential of the 10,000 Toes initiative as both a public health tool and a means of breaking down prejudice against the church. “Almost 80 per cent of the patients we see are suffering from lifestyle diseases,” he said. “This creates an opportunity for the Church to play an active role in health education and prevention.”
Ms Willie expressed gratitude for the positive response from her team. “I am the happiest person. I praise and thank God for a beautiful, warm, supportive, respectful and hardworking environment full of beautiful hearts (colleagues). I believe in my team. With God, nothing is impossible.”
