GPL looks to promote good health among employees

In a bid to promote good health among its employees, the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc yesterday held a Health and Wellness Programme where it offered information and testing for chronic/lifestyle diseases.

The programme, hosted in collaboration with the Ministry of Health at the Regency Suites Hotel, Hadfield Street, aimed to educate, provide and assist employees in maintaining a healthier lifestyle.

Head of the Human Resource Department of GPL Dale De’Roy said that the nature of the organisation was one of high risk employees are constantly under tremendous stress making them prone to various illnesses. He further mentioned that GPL plans to establish an annual medical examination for employees over 40 years old. The annual medical would entail x-rays, blood tests, mammograms for women and prostate examinations for men. De’Roy stressed that the reports of these tests would be highly confidential and only authorised persons would be able to access these records.

The importance of providing information to employees with chronic diseases so as to assist them in maintaining a healthier lifestyle was stressed.

The wellness programme also dealt with providing effective consultation for employees and aimed to collaborate with stakeholders so as to assist GPL with the relevant expertise in the field and necessary resources to foster a comprehensive mental rehabilitation of employees who are already affected.

Dr Karen Butters did presentations on diabetes mellitus, hypertension, nutrition in relation to diabetes mellitus/hypertension and foot care. Free blood sugar and blood pressure testing were also done on site.