Sharjah: The Health Promotion Department at the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah (SCFA) organized today (Monday) a symposium titled "Towards a Healthy Work Environment for Sharjah Government Employees".

Held at Al Barajeel Hall, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the event aimed to disucss the 2nd phase of “Wazn” initiative, the first health survey for Sharjah government employees.

The first health survey, which was launched by the Health Promotion Department in strategic partnership with the Sharjah Department of Statistics and Community Development (DSCD), targets the employees of 60 government bodies across the Emirate of Sharjah.

The gathering focused on the role of healthy work environment and its impact on the level of employee productivity, in addition to how to promote the ideal environment among employees.

The event was moderated by the journalist Ali bober and delivered by H.E Dr. Maryam Matar, founder and chairperson, UAE Genetic Diseases Association (UAE GDA), Dr. Abdullah Al Darmaki, academician and expert in managing and developing corporate performance strategies and Dr. Mansoor Anwar Habib, a Family Medicine & Occupational Health Consultant and Head of Happiness & Tolerance at "Du”.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Humaid Al Qasimi, Director of Sharjah Department of Statistics and Community Development, Iman Rashid Saif, Director of the Health Promotion Department; Colonel Amina Al Shouq, Director of Human Resources Department at Sharjah Police, Asmaa Hassan Al Marzouqi, Director of Government Communication Department, Human Resources Department, were present, in addition to a number of Sharjah Government employees.

Step in the right direction

Iman Saif stressed that “Wazn” initiative, which was launched under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah, is a step in the right direction.

“Through this initiative, the Health Promotion Department, in collaboration with strategic partners, will work hand in hand to support and help overweight employees reduce their weight to lower levels through scientific mechanisms and techniques. These mechanisms will help them adopt healthy lifestyles and behaviors that would contribute to achieving the UAE Vision 2021, its national health goals as well as the UAE Centennial 2071 Plan” Saif underlined.

“The initiative will also help provide a better life for employees and ensure the welfare, safety and happiness of the entire community” she added, expressing her thanks and gratitude to the SCCI, the silver sponsor of the initiative for its unlimited support, and to all strategic partners and sponsors.

Reiterating the support of Sharjah Department of Statistics and Community Development to “Wazn” program, Sheikh Mohammed Al Qasimi stressed that the initiative is of especially important as it draws substantial attention to the health of Sharjah government employees. Accordingly, Sharjah government employees will be introduced to the healthy lifestyles that would help prevent potential diseases and health issues.

Al Qasimi added that the department is very keen to conduct some biometrics to get a better understanding of the work environment of employees and find possible opportunities to improve their conditions.

Health and safety training courses

For her part, Al Marzouqi said that the Sharjah Human Resources Department is planning to organise further specialized training courses and workshops in the field of health and safety so as to promote the health conditions of employees.

“The department is doing its best to adopt the best health practices, promote the culture of proper nutrition and highlight the positive impact of good health conditions on employee’s productivity” Al Marzouqi added.

“Following the directives of the wise leadership, the Human Resources Department will work hand in hand with all collaborating parties to support this initiative and improve the health of employees”, she underscored.

Health Survey Results

During the symposium, Iman Turki, Head of Programs at the Department of Health Promotion, delivered a presentation, outlining the results of the first health survey, which targeted Sharjah government employees.

According to the results, there is a great interest among staff to receive health awareness with a response rate of 78.8%, compared with the support rate of nearly 90% to implement health awareness initiatives and activities in the workplace.

Moreover, 88% of employees were in favor of setting up a unified policy on the list of food made available in the workplace while 66% of staff support banning fast food foods in workplace. The results also showed that 88% of employees  are in favor of providing sports rooms in the workplace and allocating 30 minutes as a minimum of the total working hours to exercise.

The results also referred to the most common health symptoms among participants in the questionnaire include chronic muscle and back pain with an astounding rate of more than 50% of employees who have been working for 5 years or more compared to employees who spent less than 5 years in work. I

In spite of the low incidence of glucose in the regular biometrics sample, the survey indicated that 20% of employees suffer from while 13% from spinal dysfunction.

-End-

© Press Release 2019

Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.

The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.