THE Ministry of Education’s Healthy Workplace Programme, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, offered a range of health services to employees yesterday at the Ministry of Education, 26 Brickdam, Georgetown.

The exercise which got started at 09:00 hrs provided health services such as: blood pressure testing, blood glucose testing and body mass index testing; also information on sexual and reproductive health, substance abuse, and HIV counselling and testing.
Employees expressed their appreciation for the initiative. Because of their work schedule, it is difficult for them to attend a health facility to conduct these similar tests, and to obtain other information. All health services sessions are to be conducted by medical personnel from the Ministry of Health, so Education staff can rest assured that the highest quality of service will be provided.
Meanwhile, a representative of the Education Ministry said that they have started aerobics classes for both men and women at the Ministry of Education Sports ground on Carifesta Avenue. The ministry is also in the process of putting in a gym at the location to promote a healthy lifestyle among staff.
The Healthy Workplace Programme aims to promote early detection of chronic non-communicable (NCD) diseases, such as auto-immune diseases, heart disease, stroke, many cancers, asthma, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease and cataracts.
Some chronic diseases of long duration, such as HIV/AIDS, are also targeted and this will be facilitated by counselling and testing.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports NCDs to be by far the leading cause of death in the world, representing over 60% of all deaths. Every year, at least 5 million people die because of tobacco use and about 2.8 million die from being overweight. High cholesterol accounts for roughly 2.6 million deaths; and 7.5 million die because of high blood pressure.
The workplace programme is expected to be held on a monthly basis at the various offices of the Ministry of Education. Services will be free of cost.
Written By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally