A Wellness Center for Federal Civil Servants has been established by the Nigerian government to reduce work-related medical disorders that can be avoided.
While launching the Center, Federation Civil Service Head Folashade Yemi-Esan stated that the action was in keeping with the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan, 2021–2025. (FCSSIP 25).
She noted that the inclusion of Staff Welfare as one of the Strategy’s six pillars further emphasizes the importance that the government places on the lives and wellbeing of civil servants, both as citizens and as a privileged group charged with the duty of advancing development in Nigeria through the creation and implementation of policy.
Folashade said; “This is also in line with our drive towards a New Civil Service of Our Dream.
“The International Labor Organisation (ILO) estimates that about 2.3 million women and men around the world succumb to work-related accidents or diseases every year. According to the Organisation, this corresponds to 6,000 deaths every single day. The available data also reveals that around 160 million victims of work-related illnesses are recorded annually.
“Notwithstanding the unpleasant curve in the physical health indices, I feel what is more significant is that a good number of the ailments are preventable through the right application of knowledge and attitude to work and health.”
The Head of Service stressed the importance of promoting culture change among employees through regular and sufficient education about a healthier lifestyle and by investigating partnerships for the growth of the centers.
“Every one of us should seek useful, adequate and accurate information on common health conditions and how to prevent or successfully manage them. The need to comprehensively pay attention to our health status is more crucial, especially due to the sedentary nature of our jobs as civil servants coupled with the tendency to be solely committed to the demands of office and neglecting one’s physical well-being.
“With the right attitude, support and management, it is expected that the services provided at the Wellness Centre will translate to a significant reduction in medical conditions and improve the wellbeing and productivity of our workers,” she added.
She went on to say that one of the Wellness Center’s fundamental responsibilities was to regularly provide health lectures, mental health counseling, and support for routine health screenings for the early diagnosis of medical disorders.
“It is hoped that all workers will make the best of the opportunities the centre will provide to promote a productive work-life full of health and wellness extending even after service”.
Yemi-Esan additionally urged all federal servants to assume responsibility for the facility and ensure its upkeep in order for it to continue to be useful to civil servants and other users.
