Hiring maids bad for health, says Oman ministry official

Muscat: Hiring a housemaid could be bad for your health, according to a Ministry of Health senior official.
According to Dr Huda Khalfan Al Siyabi, director of community based initiatives of the Ministry of Health (MoH), lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease can all be tackled if residents take more exercise – even if it’s only cleaning the house.
“One of the obstacles that disallow families and women in the Sultanate from exercising is depending on workers to do housework which is considered physical activity,” she said.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart diseases.
Dr Huda spoke about the disease-provoking habits on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the national campaign to promote physical activity which began on Tuesday under the slogan ‘health starts with a step’.
She mentioned that the lack of public transport results in high dependency on private vehicles, which ultimately contribute to lack of physical movement.
Almost half of Omani inpatients and the ones visiting health care centres suffered from at least one NCD in 2015, according to Dr Ahmed Al Busaidi, head of the national committee of combating chronic NCD.
Calling for new laws to encourage healthier habits amongst the society, Huda said that more walks and parks should be available in the country.
“The hot weather, however, makes it difficult for people to exercise,” she said.
She also encouraged authorities to focus on increasing awareness about the importance of exercising, and encourage public and private institutions to consider and adopt healthier standards in their companies.
Health starts with a step
The launching ceremony of the ‘health starts with a step’ campaign was held under the patronage of Dr. Alin bin Talib Al Hinai, MOH Undersecretary for Planning Affairs and Chairman of the Higher National Committee of Non-Communicable Diseases Control in the presence of number of undersecretaries.
The drive, which will continue for a year, aimed at educating the community to the importance of physical activity. In addition, raising the awareness on the available facilities of practicing the physical activity, as well as encouraging the community members to involve in the sports programs.
The campaign targets all community members both males and females where various mass media, as well as the social media will be utilized to send clear and impressive messages. In addition, promotional and educational materials, as well as number of activities and events will be applied in schools, malls, health institutions, parks...etc.
It comes as a part of the Sultanate’s efforts represented by the Ministry of Health to shed the light on the health burden caused by non-communicable diseases.
At the end of the ceremony, the chief guest launched officially the campaign, as well as honoured the volunteers and sponsors from various public and private sectors.