Nutritious and healthy food is the most effective medicine for protecting people against disease.
Laureate Professor Richard Roberts said it was therefore important to consume food high in vitamins, containing calories and micronutrients.
“Malnutrition and insufficient food means it is very difficult for your body to fight against the disease,” he said at an international conference in Dili, held under the theme ‘citizenship, peace and well-being.
A healthy diet also helps to strengthen the body’s immune system and ability to fight to fight disease and chronic infections, said Roberts.
Deputy Minister of Health Ana Isabel Soares also agreed that food was the main factor in improving people’s health.
“The vegetables and fruits that we grow in the garden have a high nutritional value and help contribute to improving health,” she said.
She said the ministry has worked with the World Food Programme (WFP) and World Health organization (WHO) to educate communities about the importance of a healthy diet and the nutritional value of local food.
She said the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) should look into hybrid crops to boost yields and improve the quality of produce.
