Outdoor gym in Commewijne should stimulate healthy lifestyle

According to President Santokhi, the government's plan is to have a healthy lifestyle unit in every neighbourhood, where everyone can go for family coaching and guidance. The intention is that these units will be staffed by surplus civil servants who will be trained on the basis of selection and voluntariness. The Head of State states that by exercising and moving, fewer people will need specialist treatment and less medication will be used. According to him, there is a large supply of patients at hospitals. This can be prevented if people have a good diet, good information, guidance and exercise. The treatment of chronic diseases weighs heavily on healthcare and 80% of the Ministry of Health's budget goes to curative care.

President Santokhi: "We need to change our attitude to life; a healthy lifestyle through more exercise. Through good nutrition and education, families and individuals can be better supported." The Head of State recalled the International Day of Sports (Wednesday, 6 April) and the International Day of Health (Thursday, 7 April). He stressed the importance of health and placed the significance of the outdoor gym in the context of the government's health policy. With its contribution, the PAHO supports the government in this policy and also contributes to the physical and mental health of the Surinamese society.

Within the Government's policy, the health sector must be able to provide the necessary care. In addition, the Government is working to make the State Health Insurance Fund (SZF) healthier. A system to encourage insured persons to live healthily is being considered. President Santokhi believes that the outdoor sports facility will bring people together and thereby promote unity. "Healthy individuals form a healthy community and that means more production," states the head of state.