Azlan Othman
Early morning walks to help recover from past injuries, brisk walking while on the quest for better health and preparations to join Sports School Brunei Darussalam were cited to be the reasons for achieving 10,000 steps daily goals in the 20 Billion Steps Together Challenge – BN on the Move campaign.
Retiree Ching Fah Low said he started doing daily exercises since sustaining injuries eight years ago on recommendation from a doctor at Physiotherapy Unit of the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital. He said the exercises strengthened his muscles and bones as well as help in pain management.
“I wake up everyday around 5-6am for a five-kilometre walk along the streets early in the morning when there are less people around,” said Ching.
Siti Ramah binti Abdul Razak, 41, said she exercises to improve her respiratory and cardio health.
“I have brisk walks before and after work, even during rainy days, to achieve 10,000 steps daily.
“The daily exercises are good for my heart, circulatory system and lungs on top of benefits for my general health and fitness,” she said.
“When I work in the afternoon, I will jog and brisk walk early in the morning. After work, I will continue with the exercises,” Siti Ramah said.
Meanwhile, Nursyaziyah binti Mohd Fuad, 12, said she joined the 10,000 steps challenge as preparations to join Sports School Brunei Darussalam next year.
The Brunei Malay Teachers Association (PGGMB) Primary School student said joining the sports school requires a good fitness level.
They were among the recipients of prizes from the Ministry of Health (MoH) for the campaign aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle. Two winners received BND250 vouchers while 40 recipients were handed BND100 vouchers in a ceremony at MoH’s Health Promotion Centre.
MoH’s Head of Corporate Communications Division Athirah Fakhriah binti Haji Awang Yussof, Pantai Jerudong Specialist Centre (PJSC) Executive Director Dr Haji Mazrul Adimin bin Haji Besar and Perbadanan Tabung Amanah Islam Brunei (TAIB) Chief Operations Officer Mohammad Irfan bin Haji Tajuddin presented the prizes.
BN on the Move is a health promotion campaign using a new feature on the BruHealth app. It began with a 1 Billion Steps Together challenge that was met with success and the ministry launched 20 Billion Steps Together Challenge in October in response.
The health campaign has attracted over 70,000 users and so far has registered over 17 billion steps.
