The Ashanti Regional Police Commander Mr Frank Adu-Poku, has cautioned people with health problems to contact qualified medical doctors before devising regimes or embarking on any strenuous exercise.

He said ailments such as heart attacks, strokes, injuries and other illness need serious medical attention and not self medication.

He noted that with the sound body and mind, people become mentally and physically strong and effective and this helps to reduce medical expenses and other health risks.

He was speaking at the end of a day’s Health Walk in Kumasi on Saturday. The two-and-half hour walk was organized by Pharma Information Consult, a health information management consultancy firm in Accra and sponsored by Olfen group of companies.

500 participants comprising students, health workers, members from various keep fit groups started the walk from the Presbyterian Primary school park at Bantama, through Bekwai roundabout to City Hotel area to Kejetia and ended at Asem boys’ school at Fante New Town.

DCOP Adu-Poku said keeping fit involves taking some form of regular body exercises and adopting a well balanced nutrition at all times.

“Regularity of body exercise is desirable and it is important that no form of violent exercise or extreme exertion is undertaken suddenly. A gradual warming up and preparatory process is essential to prevent injury,” he said.

Mr. Ernest Abbey, a Pharmacist of the Consult said the essence of the programme was to assist people to improve their health and security.

After the walk, the participants were taking through medical checks including, body mass index, eye tests, Blood Pressure (BP), body fats and blood glucose tests.

Source: GNA