THE Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) program of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church known as 10,000 toes campaign program has provided basic health check training for Rendova youth ambassadors in Ughele Village, South Rendova, Western Provinc.
The program which was held last week was aimed at reversing the high rate of NCDs in the country is providing this life-changing training to 150 youth ambassadors and other community members.
After the one-week long training, the youth ambassadors will be deployed to communities in Rendova to conduct basic medical checks and provide NCD awareness.
Buruku Seventh-Day Adventist Church Communication Officer Broughton Dokese confirmed this 10,000 toes training program to Solomon Star in an exclusive interview on Thursday.
“There are 150 confirmed ambassadors who are currently participating in this one week 10,000 toes training program.
“These participants are from Rendova villages like Rano, Lokuru, Vankuva, Elabeach, Bangopingo, Ughele, Egholo, Aghaghana and Baniata,” he said.
He said the importance of this training is that these ambassadors will roll out the 10,000 toes program thereafter in an effort to help reverse the NCDs rate on Rendova Island.
“This program will save more toes to be amputated in the future and save money from traveling long distances to hospitals for NDC checkups or amputation,” Dokese said.
On Thursday, the trainees did their practical sessions with patients and people who wanted to check their health status.
The basic health training includes medical checks for blood pressure, sugar level, weight, height and the Ideal Body Weight (IBW).
When they are deployed to the villages, the ambassadors as part of the NCD awareness program will encourage people to eat more local food than processed food.
“This training does not only prepare us for the Rendova Impact NCD program but also equips us with basic skills on how to check the basic health of a patient,” Dokese added.
One of the ambassadors, Cameron Masako said this is the first program of its kind for Rendova as it brings all ambassadors from the different churches across Rendova to be trained to carry out the 10,000 toes campaign.
The training is facilitated by 10,000 toes officials Dr Chester Kuma with Franklin and Lucy.
Another similar training will be conducted on later date by the 10,000 toes officials for the Rendova youth ambassadors to further enhance their basic knowledge on NCDs.
By LACHLAN SHYVES EDDIE
Solomon Star, Honiara
