First Lady scoffs at poor health rumours

that she is ill, saying she only hurt her back while exercising in the gym.
Amai Mugabe was speaking while officially opening the Health, Fitness, Beauty and Fashion Expo in Harare.

“It was exaggerated by the reports that I am ill and about to die,” she said.
“I only hurt my back in the gym and I am very fit.”
Amai Mugabe said doctors should minimise prescribed drugs for ailments that can be treated through other means like physical fitness.

She said exercising was instrumental in keeping one’s body healthy.
“A message to all doctors and patients alike is that drug prescriptions should never be used as a way of avoiding tortuous, but necessary consultations,” the First Lady said.
“Admittedly, only a few people have the resources to hire personal health professionals or to buy physical training equipment and in this regard we are reminded that the God-given ability to walk and move various parts is a cost-friendly form of exercise.”

Amai Mugabe encouraged food and beverages industries to play their part in promoting good health.
“On the home front, parents need to encourage their children to participate in physical fitness programmes and desist from the growing trend of children whose only form of recreation is playing video games.”
Amai Mugabe said the prevailing economic hardships were contributing to high levels of stress.

People with emotional stress, she said, should seek professional assistance.
“It is sad to note that many affected people sought relief through seemingly easy ways, which in reality, worsen the problem, such people are encouraged to seek professional assistance before they completely destroy their lives and those of their loved ones,” she said.

Amai Mugabe said there was need to replace some treatments with appropriate healthy life styles.
“Today’s modern world promises too many things which do not work at the end of the day, people spend large amounts of money on treatment which could easily be replaced by appropriate health lifestyles,” she said.

“The loss of productivity caused by such conditions as stress, depression, obesity and other “silent killer diseases” should always challenge the nation to improve its healthy living campaigns.”
The two-day expo, which ended yesterday, drew stakeholders from the Government, the public and private sectors.