Taking good care of your health at work

He advises Namara to incorporate exercises in her daily routine, wake up early in the morning to jog or skip rope.

“This will not only rejuvenate her day but will go a long way in burning up the calories. She can also opt to do the same in the evening after work.”

Employee wellness programmes
According to the doctor, another option that has already been well received in the western world is providing Employee Wellness programmes at work.

“Employee wellness programmes provide workers with healthy lifestyle choices and may just be the cure for companies struggling to keep up with rapidly rising health care costs,” he says.

He says the programmes are an effective way to help employees, live healthier lives.

Such company initiatives that promote worker wellness – from on-site yoga classes to smoking cessation programmes are becoming more widespread in the western world as employers wrestle with soaring health care costs.

“Companies can set up health clubs with facilities for workers to exercise. Amenities like cafeterias that provide workers with healthier foods like vegetables can be set up,” Dr Mukasa stresses.

According to the doctor, such programmes help the employees stay fit, healthy and also impact on their output.

“To the employer, the benefit will be reduced medical insurance costs and absenteeism from work because of sickness,” says Patrick Waweru, the Employee Benefit Manager at Aon Uganda.

“It is a smart and cost-effective way to promote employee wellness and morale, which in the long run could help reduce the firm’s medical costs,” adds Waweru.

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