21 Sep 2015

Health and wellness is an important aspect in human life and is paramount to workforce, says the deputy permanent secretary in Minister of Environment Wildlife and Tourism (MEWT), Mr Rule Opelo.

When giving the key note address at the MEWT’s wellness day in Gaborone recently, Mr Opelo said the aim of the wellness day is to foster health awareness among the ministry workforce.

“By so doing, we trust as individuals that beyond this day, we continue to live wellness as a lifestyle through healthy eating, regular health checks and exercises”, said Mr Opelo, He explained that the government of Botswana holds its citizen’s health in high esteem.

“This is clearly indicated by the availability and accessibility of almost free health services in the country,” he said. Mr Opelo emphasised that Batswana has invested in innovative ways to deal with HIV/AIDS and wellness issues, noting the typical example as the MEWT wellness day.

“Government supports it and encourage that the public service due to the burden of HIV/AIDS and other social and economic ills. 

The workforce should be supported to be well and stay productive in the workplace,” he said.

Mr Opelo encouraged all the participants to use the day effectively and to access services availed such as HIV counseling and testing, engaging in aerobics and to undergo other health services. 

He said the theme, behavior change starts with me, is meant to inspire individual’s to take responsibility to take right decision and change for better. Mr Opelo added that the theme was decided against a backdrop of the risks factors driving HIV/AIDS in Botswana such as multi concurrent partners, transactional sex and alcohol and drug abuse among others. 

The founder and director of Advent wellness arts gymnasium, Mr Advent Monyatsiwa said it is important to eat well balanced diet and to do exercises in the right manner. 

He said people should understand the correct way of eating and exercise in order to become fit and well. Ends