Bandar Seri Begawan - Some 500 personnel from Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital and the Ministry of Health took part in a walkathon in conjunction with the 28th anniversary of the hospital's establishment yesterday morning.

The guest of honour, Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Mohd Yusof, the Minister of Health, was joined by his spouse, Datin Paduka Hjh Salmah binti Haji Hanafiah. Both also took part in the aerobics warm-up session.

Also present were the Permanent Secretary from the ministry, Haji Awg Saiful Bahri bin Haji Mansor, along with heads of department, senior officials and staff from the ministry as well as RIPAS Hospital personnel.

The objective of the event was to create awareness on the importance of a healthier lifestyle that proves to be beneficial, to the community at large. It was also

hoped that such events would foster closer ties among the officers and staff in the ministry.

Male participants walked three kilometres whereas the women did two kilometres. The walkathon started and ended at the RIPAS sports complex.