Health minister joins Get Fit programme

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6: Minister of Health Zane De Silva is putting his money where his mouth is as part of a pre-End-to-End training initiative.

Mr De Silva said today that he will take part in the 12-week Get Ready, Get Fit programme run by the event’s sponsor Catlin, a Bermuda-based insurance and reinsurance company.

Mr De Silva added that the island continues to log higher-than-average rates of obesity, diabetes and congestive heart failure.

He said: “One of the objectives of the Ministry of Health’s Well Bermuda Strategy is to increase public awareness of the factors influencing health and to foster adoption of healthy lifestyles.

“I am particularly excited to be here to help launch Get Ready, Get Fit – a 12-week fitness programme leading up to the May 5 Catlin End-to-End event which helps ensure that participants are in good shape when they take part.”

The pre-event activities begin with a 45-minute walk on Sunday, February 19. Brochures advertising the programme will soon be hitting mailboxes across the island.

Mr De Silva said: “The Ministry of Health would also like to encourage participants to see their family doctor for a physical to make sure they are up to the challenge.

“Not only will this help to ensure that people can safely participate in the event, but it also provides them with important information about any specific health problems they may not be aware of.”

He added that a total of seven charities will benefit from this year’s End-to-End, which has raised more than $4 million over the years.

The brochure on the fitness programme can also be downloaded at www.bermudaendtoend.bm.