GTZ, GRA initiate health programme for workers (Graphic Business)

A comprehensive health-related workplace programme aimed at improving the entire well-being of the Ghanaian workforce has been initiated.
The initiative, Employee Well-being Programme (EWP), is a collaborative effort of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Ghana Community Network (GCNet), a private company that provides services to the GRA and other organisations.
Some agencies and organisations covered under the (EWP) are the Domestic Tax Division as well as the Customs Division and the Supportive Services Division created out of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS).
With both financial and technical support from the Regional Co-ordination Unit for HIV and Tuberculosis (GTZ-ReCHT) of the German Technical Co-operation’s (GTZ), EWP is to improve access to health, social protection and financial counselling service to workers. It is expected to benefit approximately 38,000 workers before 2012.
The initiative is part of a range of programmes supported by GTZ-ReCHT which has been promoting workplace programmes since 2006 in collaboration with agencies of the Ghana Health Service (GHS).
It is also to provide prevention, treatment and care facilities for targeted employees, their core families as well as members of the immediate communities in which those organisations operate.
Additionally, the programme is meant to foster behavioural change among the participants as well as bring benefits to participants who would get to know their general health status and receive support if needed. It is also supporting the companies and organisations to develop measures to improve the health situation and hence the productivity of their workforce.
A release on the programme indicated that infectious diseases such tuberculosis, malaria, and hepatitis B and other health conditions such as heart related diseases and cancers are the leading causes for serious illness in Ghana.
The statement also indicated that the programme include social protection and financial wellness component since financial pressures could additionally trigger psychological problems of and cause illnesses. It indicated that the provision of increase of social protection through retirement benefit schemes, health insurance and other insurance schemes reduces pressure on employees and increases their well-being.
During this year’s World Heart Day which is celebrated on the last Sunday of September every year, the GHS, GCNet and GTZ as part of the EWP, embarked on series of health walks, organised medical and laboratory screening for heart related risk factors such as hypertension, body mass index (BMI), cholesterol, and diabetes as well as counselling and testing for HIV were offered free of charge. The exercise took place in all the 10 regional capitals of the country namely: Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, Cape Coast, Takoradi, Koforidua, Ho, Sunyani, Bolga and Wa.
At the launch of the an EWP policy document for public and private sector on Monday, October 25, 2010, the Deputy Minister of Health, Mr Robert Joseph Mettle-Nunoo, said the policy was unique and comprehensive which was in line with government’s goal of providing not only accessible but affordable health care for citizens of the nation.
The document which was developed in collaboration with GTZ and the GCNet covers health, mental, emotional, social and financial well-being of employees.
The policy is to enhance the health status of GRA and GCNet employees and dependants, to provide social protection and financial wellness, and also to ensure adequate, consistent and sustainable provision of information and education on health, living with disability, financial comfort and social protection.
I also features confidentiality of the health status of employees, gender equality, collective responsibility, and non-discrimination in obtaining healthcare.
The Deputy Health Minister indicated that government attached great importance to the well-being of employees in both the public and private sectors and as such several interventions had been put in place to ensure that the nation’s workforce stayed healthy.
Mr Mettle-Nunoo mentioned that interventions such as the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) , the National AIDS Control Programme and the regenerative health policies of the Ministry of Health (moH) had all helped to improve the health of Ghanaians.
He said that public-private partnership such as the EWP which complimented government’s efforts were commendable and urged staff of the various agencies to fully participate in the programmes and observe basic measures that will enhance their well-being.
The Commissioner of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Mr Richard Lanyon, stated that the launch of the policy document marked the climax of the EWP which would be the driving force for achieving the programme’s goals and objectives.
“The management of the processes, the procedures and the systems in tax collection, is a very hazardous and stressful endeavour. It is therefore imperative that a deliberate and sustained programme is put in place to maintain a healthy workforce”, Mr Lanyon pointed out.