Africa-Press – Mauritius. A new Wellness Park, to the tune of Rs 16 million, will be constructed to provide a clean environment and a healthy outdoor activity space for the inhabitants of Beau-Bassin and Rose Hill. The ceremony for the laying of the foundation stone of the Wellness Park was held, this morning, at Boundary Road, in Rose-Hill.
The Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo; the Minister of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change, Mr Kavydass Ramano; the Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS), Mrs Marie Alexandra Tania Diolle; the Member of Parliament, Mr Ivan Leslie Collendavelloo; the Mayor of the Municipal Council of Beau-Bassin/Rose-Hill, Mr Jean Didier David Utile, and other personalities were present on the occasion.
In her address, Mrs Jeewa-Daureeawoo highlighted that the Park was being set up with the objective of promoting a healthy lifestyle through regular physical activity in a green space and in the open air for the inhabitants of the region, including the youths and the elderly.
Furthermore, she stressed the need to engage in regular physical activities, eat judiciously, and maintain a healthy lifestyle, adding that according to statistics, only 30 to 32% of the adult population get sufficient exercise.
Minister Jeewa-Daureeawoo emphasised the importance of growing old in a healthy way so that in old age, people would not have to deal with illnesses that could be prevented if a proper and healthy lifestyle was adopted.
On this note, she talked of the alarming figures concerning non-communicable diseases and urged each and every one to be more conscious of their eating habits and to participate in various sporting activities.
The Minister also dwelt on other major infrastructure projects carried out during the past years with the collaboration of the Government, local authorities and the community for the region, namely the construction of Community Centres in Trèfles and in Plaisance; the renovation of the Plaisance marketplace, and the renovation of National Housing Development Co.
Ltd (NHDC) housing Units. “We have currently completed nearly 75% of the construction of a Mediclinic in Stanley to ensure accessible health care for inhabitants,” she stated.
For his part, Minister Ramano underscored that this Wellness Park would be a major asset for the residents of the region, adding that it would provide for different activities for different age-group users as it would comprise a health track of 255 metres long, a petanque court, a mini soccer pitch, a children playground and an outdoor gym.
The Minister also reaffirmed his intent to look into other constraints faced by residents such as accessibility and traffic congestion, improving the road network and enhancing the level of service to road users.
As for Mrs Diolle, she indicated that this Wellness Park would contribute towards improving the lifestyle and cater to the needs of the inhabitants of the region.
She underlined that Government had invested massively in various projects in the region so as to promote a healthy lifestyle for the residents. “Wellness Parks,” she underscored, “are being constructed so as to give residents the facility within proximity to practice activities regularly.
Moreover, PPS Diolle urged residents to do regular physical activities as with the COVID-19 pandemic over the last two years, the population had become less active as regards sports activities, and added that this could impact negatively on the mental and physical health.
In the same vein, Mr Collendavelloo pointed out that in this modern era, it was important for the Mauritian population to embrace a sports culture to maintain a healthy lifestyle and spoke of the various amenities that this Park would provide to residents of the locality.
“Mauritius,” he indicated, “is among the countries in the world whose population has a high incidence of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases associated with physical inactivity.
” “It is therefore imperative to combat these ills of modern life in order to tackle health issues which have a negative, social and economic impact on the population,” he stressed.
As for Mayor Utile, he highlighted that with the support and collaboration of the Government, the region was witnessing fast-track development since the past six years. He reiterated the need for collaborative efforts both by authorities and residents so as to build a fitter and a healthier nation.
“The new Wellness Park,” he underscored, “will provide the opportunity for all the inhabitants to undertake several sports and health activities, as well as enhance the quality of life of citizens.”
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