27 Mar 2017

Botswana Police Divisional Commander for North Central, Mr Christopher Mbulawa calls for a healthy police force.
Speaking during the North Central Division Wellness Day held in Palapye, Mr Mbulawa said the police were doing a difficult challenging job, which calls for them to be always healthy both physically and mentally.
He said the police incurred so many challenges while undertaking their day to day duties, adding that some incidents that the police witnessed leave them traumatised, citing road accidents, murders and suicide incidents.
He said the police are also human, as such need to be counselled from time to time to enable them to overcome the challenges that come with their job.
He said a total of 450 people lost their lives in various road accidents, adding that all these were attended to by the police, hence the police need mental support.
He said the police need the support of all stakeholders, particularly the public.
The wellness day was aimed at increasing health awareness on employees by providing health education and information as well as motivating employees to make positive health behaviour change.
For his part, Debswana mining company official, Mr Boyce Sebetlela implored the police to adopt healthy lifestyles.
He urged them to eat healthy food and exercise to avoid contracting non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer and obesity.
He also urged them to do annual health screening and seek medical attention when they are not feeling well.
He said some people have developed a tendency to do self-diagnosis and prescribe themselves some medication.
He warned that such a practice was risky because it could ultimately lead to death.
Mr Sebetlela further said for a police officer to be productive, they needed to be physically and mentally fit.
He said mental fitness could  be achieved through reading, adding that the reading culture was gradually dying.
The police were also warned about Malaria.
Palapye District Health Management Team member, Mr Tshwaranang Phillimon said 54 cases of Malaria were recorded in the sub-district.
He said three people lost their lives due to malaria.
He also informed them about the Treat All programme, whereby people who test HIV positive are enrolled on ARVs immediately.
He urged the police officer to use condoms correctly and consistently to avoid contracting HIV/AIDS.
The wellness day gave police officers the opportunity to undergo several health screenings. ENDS