The Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) Health Week, spanning from 17 to 24 November 2022, was launched, yesterday morning, by the Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal, in the presence of the Director-General of the MRA, Mr Sudhamo Lal, at the Customs House of the MRA, in Mer Rouge.
The aim is to provide MRA staff with health facilities at their workplace itself, hence, allowing them to avail of different health tests and more importantly, listen to the guidance and advice of the doctors, on diverse health topics, that are of prime importance.
During this Health Week, a series of activities will be organised for the benefit of staff who are posted at MRA Offices namely, Ehram Court, Custom House, Belfort Tower, and other outposts. They include health tests for diabetes, obesity, eyesight, electrocardiogram, hypertension, screening of breast and cervical cancer, and counselling by a doctor. Talks and presentations on health-related topics will also be held on prevention of cancer, coronary heart diseases, osteoporosis, and importance of healthy nutrition.
In his keynote address, Minister Jagutpal, at the very outset, lauded the initiative of the MRA to organise a Health Week which will comprise Non-Communicable Diseases’ (NCDs) Screenings, Breast and Cervical Cancer Screenings and free counselling services in health. This health screenings will help MRA staff to prevent or delay the onset of NCDs, including diabetes, high blood pressure and coronary heart diseases and their related complications, he stated.
Dr Jagutpal observed that the world is witnessing shifts in dietary patterns and levels of physical activity, with increasing overweight and obesity and a rising burden of NCDs. He emphasised on the need for behavioural change which will lead to sustainable changes in food consumption patterns and increased physical activities. Behaviour change has to occur at the level of persons, of people and of populations so that the health of the planet is also protected, he added.
For his part, Mr Sudhamo Lal highlighted that the Health Week demonstrates the MRA’s ongoing commitment to address the health needs of its staff. He stated that over the years, the MRA has developed a comprehensive health and safety approach to foster the well-being of its staff, in line with national laws and prevailing rules and regulations. He underlined that regular sensitisation campaigns on various health topics such as healthy nutrition, prevention of diabetes and coronary heart diseases are conducted on a yearly basis, and health surveillance programmes have been put in place for MRA Officers who work in hazardous environments.
Staff, he recalled, are also being provided with ergonomic workstations while staff with disabilities are provided with facilities such as ramps and wheelchairs. In addition, the MRA ensures a conducive working environment for its staff by enforcing health and safety policies, procedures, regular health and safety visits, inspections and ongoing discussions on health matters in health and safety committee meetings, he said.
Other initiatives include: implementation of an Employee Assistance Programme driven by psychologists; Medical insurance Scheme; setting up of functional gyms in offices; regular swimming courses; and blood donation activities.
