FG TO TACKLE SUDDEN DEATH AMONG CIVIL SERVANTS

As part of efforts to promote a healthy workforce in the Civil Service, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, HoCSF, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, has established a new wellness centre in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.

This came as she urged civil servants to avoid sedentary lifestyles, claiming that they contribute significantly to sudden deaths caused by ailments caused primarily by stress.

According to her, a healthy body leads to a significant reduction in medical conditions, which improves worker output in particular and the achievement of national development goals in general.

Yemi-Esan said this during the commissioning of the Centre, on Tuesday, in Abuja.

Yemi-Esan described the establishment of the Employee Wellness Centre within the Federal Secretariat Complex as one of the most proactive responses by the Federal Government to the critical need of mitigating preventable medical conditions, which have become prevalent in our society, in general and amongst Civil Servants, in particular.

She advised civil servants to make the most of the services provided by the newly established Employee Wellness Centre, citing an unprecedented rise in work-related diseases around the world.

She revealed that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has taken proactive steps to improve the value proposition and welfare of civil servants, as outlined in the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021-2025. (FCSSIP 25).

She emphasized that the inclusion of Staff Welfare as one of the Strategy’s six pillars demonstrates the importance the government places on the lives and well-being of workers.

Earlier, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the SSAP-SDGs, stated that the Centre was modified and equipped by the OSSAP-SDGs before being handed over to the OHCSF for commissioning and management.

Adefulire, who was represented by the Director of Administration, Mrs Ijeoma Ukaejiofor, emphasized that the Centre’s establishment is to promote the health and well-being of Civil Servants, in accordance with Goal 3 of the SDGs.

Dr Ngozi Onwudiwe, Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, SWO, OHCSF, stated earlier in her welcome remarks that the Wellness Centre is a demonstration of the Head of Service’s continuous drive to showcase commitment to worker welfare as captured in the FCSSIP25.

Dr. Onwudiwe explained that the Centre is not just another clinic, but a physical wellness center where Civil Servants can check their blood pressure and blood sugar levels, among other things, and properly manage their health statuses.