Ninety-two employees of the Cereals and Other Produce Regulatory Authority (COPRA) have undergone screening for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), highlighting the growing importance of preventive healthcare in workplaces.
The exercise, conducted during the authority’s annual general meeting at the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Leadership School in Kibaha, Coast Region, aimed to help employees understand their health status, identify potential risks early and take preventive measures.
Occupational health specialist Elias Birago said bringing health screening services closer to workplaces was helping more people access medical assessments and make informed decisions about their health.
He said early detection was particularly important in managing non-communicable diseases, which can lead to serious complications when not identified and addressed in time.
“The screening exercise has helped COPRA employees understand their health status and take early action to protect themselves against complications associated with non-communicable diseases,” Dr Birago said.
He challenged public institutions, regulatory authorities and private companies to make employee health screening part of their workplace welfare programmes rather than waiting for workers to develop symptoms before seeking medical attention.
Dr Birago also encouraged institutions to support the Jua Namba Yako (Know Your Numbers) campaign, which promotes awareness of personal health indicators and encourages people to adopt healthier lifestyles based on professional medical advice.
He said employees had also received education on hepatitis, a disease whose symptoms may not be easily recognised, urging them to seek screening and vaccination services through the relevant health institution and its branches.
The emphasis on workplace health comes as institutions increasingly recognise the importance of employee wellbeing in maintaining productivity and effective service delivery.
COPRA Eastern Zone Manager Marry Majule said the exercise had provided workers with practical knowledge on healthy living, particularly the importance of improving eating habits and preventing lifestyle-related diseases.
“Our eating habits have not been good because of the way we live. Through this service from JKCI Hospital Dar Group, we have gained knowledge that will help us take steps to protect our health and prevent non-communicable diseases,” she said.
Ms Majule said healthier employees were better positioned to fulfil their responsibilities, particularly in providing services to farmers and other stakeholders in the cereals and mixed produce sector.
She thanked JKCI Hospital Dar Group for extending health education and screening services to COPRA employees, saying such initiatives helped strengthen awareness of preventive healthcare in the workplace.