Lesotho Events

WHO Lesotho Monthly Walk The Talk Challenge

7 septembre 2023

Walk The Talk Challenge The World Health Organisation (WHO) in Lesotho, in commemoration of it's 75th Anniversary recently launched a monthly fun walk in Maseru tagged, " Health for All, Walk the Talk Challenge".

Regular physical activity is proven to help prevent and manage noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and several cancers. It also helps prevent hypertension, maintain healthy body weight and can improve mental health, quality of life and well-being. Physical inactivity is one of the leading risk factors for noncommunicable diseases mortality. People who are insufficiently active have a 20% to 30% increased risk of death compared to people who are sufficiently active.

Speaking moments prior the maiden walk, WHO representative to Lesotho, Dr Richard Banda, said it was evident that a vast number of individuals around the continent led busy lifestyles and didn’t take enough time out to look after their bodies. He said good health was essential and instrumental for an overall good life, and emphasized that a healthy individual’s body stood a good chance to easily fighting off diseases as opposed to an unhealthy one – this is mostly proven to be true because the healthier you are the less the risk.  

“For all those present today, I humbly would like to applaud you as this is very important and will be beneficial for your well-being in the long run, but let’s not forget that exercising is essential and important for the health of the whole country and continent. This is just the beginning, but we hope in the future you are still going to join us when partaking in other physical activities – this even though we are quite aware you can still do some of the exercises on your own,” he said.

This first walk which had an approximate number of 50 participants covered a distance of about 5km. Commencing from the United Nations House, the walk, proceeded eastwards along the Mpilo Boulevard, taking a sharp turn just before the Ha-Hoohlo industrial intersection, going around the Chinese Embassy at the arrival centre, before heading back to the starting point just after the Maseru Golf Course’s main entrance.

Revelers carrying placards were spotted with jubilations on their faces as they endured what most regarded as a downtime activity giving them a much-needed break from their busy schedules.

In observing the WHO’s 75th anniversary – after the organization’s formation on the 7th of April 1948, W.H.O has adopted the theme “Health for all’ for the year 2023, where people from all walks of life, regardless of their social status, religious conviction or their sexual orientation are afforded an equal right of accessing good health care.

Walking, jogging, dancing, and more – people of all ages and abilities are moving, and calling, for better health for everyone. Join WHO and its partners in Lesotho every First Friday of the month in the Health for All, Walk the Talk Challenge and celebrate our shared commitment to get moving for physical and mental health.