The Ministry of Health and Social Development has formed a workplace walking group as it continues to advocate for a healthier Virgin Islands, through its  Run/Walk for Health programme.

Programme Coordinator, Mr. Jason Rubaine said the walking group was formed by the ministry to take the challenge in solidarity with the other groups. He said the group is comprised of 23 persons and goes by the name ‘Movers for Life’.

“The group plans to walk 12,000,000 steps at the end of the twelve week challenge.  If we each record 10,000 steps per day for five days a week, at the end of the challenge we would have achieved this goal,” Mr. Rubaine said.

Members of the group are tracking their steps using pedometers purchased with the assistance of Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Irad Potter to assist in the achievement of its goal. The group has also bought t-shirts co-sponsored by the Ministry of Health and Social Development.

The fitness movement challenge will be launched on Monday, February 16, 2015 and is a Territory wide initiative that is expected to benefit everyone who participates by aiding in the development and maintenance of a healthy way of living.

Persons desirous of participating in the Ministry of Health’s Fitness Movement Challenge are encouraged to form walking groups. These groups can be community, church, family, or work based. 

A group should have a minimum of five persons with a designated leader and must be committed to walking a minimum of three days per week for 60 minutes or more. Groups participating in the run/walk programme will be encouraged to keep a log with information including group members, distance walked and duration. This information will help the Ministry of Health and Social Development capture vital information as they seek to increase the number of persons between the age of 25 and 64 regularly engaging in physical activity.

Persons wishing to take part in the programme but find exercising easier when done alone can participate in the 10,000 steps per day programme.  The programme aims to increase the day to day physical activity level for adults by encouraging movement or physical activity as part of everyday living.

Interested persons can contact Mr. Jason Rubaine at the Ministry of Health at 468-2280 or 468-4535 to register.  

The VI run/walk for health programme is one of many initiatives being undertaken by the Ministry under the Health and Wellness and Non Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control Programme.  It is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Health and Social Development, the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports and the BVI Olympic Committee.