08 Oct 2014

Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) employees have been advised to use their medical aid in a responsible manner. 

Addressing BMC employees during a wellness day on October 7, Botsogo Health Plan retention consultant, Mr Kagiso Keepetsoe said production levels at BMC must not suffer because of misuse of medical aid and that they should rather increase on the basis of a healthy workforce.

He urged all staff members to continue to use the medical aid cover that BMC provided for its staff sparingly. Mr Keepetsoe noted that it would help in achieving the desired goal of a healthy and productive staff.

He emphasised that Botsogo Health Plan would continue to keep its promise of offering health care assistance in the form of making payments towards members for their medical needs.

Furthermore, he encouraged employees to utilise the medical aid for its intended purposes, adding that wellness comprises of exercing, eating the correct diet and plenty of rest. This, he noted, would help employees achieve good health.

He said the aim of having a medical aid was to assist in cases where health was compromised.

Mr Keepetsoe said if one misuses their medical aid cover, they run the risk of failing to access cover when they needed it most. “Wellness and medical aid go hand in hand as healthy scheme members utilise their benefits less,” he said.

For his part, BMC plant manager, Mr Bosiela Saudu said during the course of the year, they had workshops on finance management, and that he strongly believed that employees would stay healthy throughout the year. Mr Saudu said the wellness team found it fit to embark on wellness activities because of many problems encountered at BMC that hamper expected outcomes.

He said the thorny issue was absenteeism and injuries on duty which needed to be controlled. ENDS