WHO Liberia Joins the Rest of the World in Walk the Talk Challenge

The country office took on the challenge ahead of the 75th World Health Assembly, which starts on May 22nd, 2022. Led by two coaches from the UN gym in Monrovia, the team members started with a 10-minute warm-up exercise before engaging in the walk around the One UN building. After an hour and 3 minutes, the team reached their 4.2km target at a pace of 15 minutes per km, which closed with a cool-down aerobics exercise for another 10 minutes. 

"I am so excited to have been part of this event. I feel energised and revived. Exercises are key to good health, "said Mr. Tamba Braima, a WHO Liberia staff member 

"It felt good taking time away as a team from our busy schedules and just focusing on reviving our energies through a fitness exercise- we will plan to have more of these events which will be scaled up for broader participation beyond the Country Office," said Dr. Musu Duworko, Team lead for the Communicable and Non-Communicable diseases program at the Country Office.

The staff members joined the challenge as a group through a dedicated tracking application called "Walk The Talk," created by WHO global, making it simple for people all over the world to walk, run, and jog for health as they take part in the Health for All Challenge. The application also permits taking photos and videos while participating in the Walk the Talk event.

The Walk the Talk exercise highlights the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. Non- communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and Chronic Kidney Diseases among others, are a reminder for Liberia and the rest of the world to focus on cost-effective preventive measures, which include maintaining healthy lifestyles and regular physical exercise. 

WHO, in collaboration with Geneva authorities, the UN system, and other interested parties, will host the 3rd edition of the Walk the Talk: The Health for All Challenge in Geneva on the morning of the 75th World Health Assembly (22 May 2022). This Walk the Talk event is an important landmark as its the first since the commencement of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event is supported by the Sport and Health project being run jointly with the State of Qatar in conjunction with the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Regional and Country offices were encouraged to take part in this activity.