A week-long health camp in Papua New Guinea encouraged participants to adopt healthier lifestyles based on biblical principles, combining spiritual teaching with practical education on nutrition, exercise and mental wellbeing.
Organised by the Central Papua Conference (CPC) Health Department, the Mega Health Camp was held at Bautama from October 4 to 10 under the theme “Back to Eden”. More than 370 people attended, including participants from rural communities across the conference.
CPC health director Anita Kup said the theme encouraged participants to return to God’s original plan for human health and wellbeing. “Disobedience to God’s plan has caused many health problems,” she added.
According to her, the event aimed to equip participants with practical knowledge they could apply in their own lives and share with their families, churches and communities.
The program included Step Up to Wholeness training, supported by the Papua New Guinea Union Mission, alongside sessions on natural remedies, nutrition, physical activity and mental health.
Presenters included general surgeon Dr Mano Mao, who addressed mental health, and Dr Robert Jones, a senior obstetrician and gynaecologist at Port Moresby General Hospital, who spoke on biblical health principles alongside Pastor Malachi Yani.
Dr Jones emphasised the importance of regular physical activity, drawing on Genesis 3:19 to encourage participants to incorporate movement into their daily routines. He also highlighted the benefits of spending time in nature and developing healthy sleep habits.
As part of the camp’s mental health awareness activities, participants spent time outdoors while exercising during a walk through the Bautama Mangrove Conservation area.
Sanitarium Australia supported the event by providing Weet-Bix and So Good milk for participants’ breakfasts. After the camp, remaining Weet-Bix supplies were donated to students at Mt Diamond Adventist Secondary School during their Grade 10 examination week.
According to Ms Kup, several participants shared their experiences and expressed gratitude for what they had learned. “They said the information had encouraged them to change unhealthy habits and wished they had learned about these health principles earlier,” said the health director.
