Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Mutare Bureau
Employee wellness programmes are emerging as a critical tool in promoting healthier workplaces, improving staff morale and boosting productivity, health experts have said.
Zimpapers Mutare Branch on Thursday hosted a wellness day for employees, offering free medical consultations, health screenings and wellness assessments conducted by an external medical practitioner and the company’s industrial nurse.
The initiative allowed employees to undergo blood pressure and blood sugar checks, mental health assessments, cancer screenings and general medical examinations aimed at identifying potential health concerns before they become serious.
Speaking during the programme, Zimpapers Mutare Branch industrial nurse Sister Rejoyce Muzanenhamo said workplace wellness initiatives play an important role in improving employee welfare while enhancing organisational performance.
She noted that many employees face challenges accessing medical consultations due to financial constraints, making workplace wellness programmes a valuable intervention.
“Wellness programmes are increasingly being recognised as an important investment rather than an expense, as healthier employees are generally more productive, take fewer sick days and are better able to perform their duties effectively,” she said.
“This is an initiative aimed at improving the welfare of employees and increasing productivity because it acts as a non-monetary incentive.
“Not everyone has medical aid and some employees cannot always afford medical consultations. Programmes such as these help boost morale because employees can see that the company is considering their wellbeing and giving them opportunities to access health services.”
Sister Muzanenhamo said the wellness day offered a range of services covering both physical and mental health, including mental health assessments, cancer screening, blood pressure checks, blood sugar testing and general physical examinations.
“The idea is to identify health concerns early and encourage employees to seek treatment before conditions worsen,” she added.
She said the company intends to continue strengthening wellness initiatives after identifying areas that require greater attention.
“This is an ongoing process. Through these programmes, we are identifying areas where we need to do more and we will continue introducing initiatives that address those gaps.”
In an interview, Dr Alpha Pokuzvirevera, said the screenings revealed trends mirroring what healthcare professionals are observing in workplaces across the country.
He explained that older employees are largely affected by chronic illnesses, while younger workers are increasingly presenting with lifestyle-related and stress-related conditions.
“For people above the age of 50, we are seeing many cases of hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, osteoarthritis, joint pains and back problems. These are largely chronic conditions that require continuous management,” said Dr Pokuzvirevera.
He said among employees below the age of 50, psychological and lifestyle-related conditions are becoming increasingly common.
“One of the most common problems we are noticing is peptic ulcer disease. This is often linked to several risk factors, including alcohol consumption, fizzy drinks, certain foods and stress-related factors.
“We are also seeing many patients suffering from chronic headaches. In many cases, these are associated with prolonged screen exposure, extensive computer use and sometimes medication-related issues,” he said.
Dr Pokuzvirevera noted that recent changes in weather patterns and the reopening of schools had also contributed to an increase in respiratory infections.
“Recently we have seen more patients presenting with upper respiratory tract infections, flu-like symptoms and tonsillitis, particularly because of seasonal weather changes,” he said.
He observed that many employees across the country continue reporting for duty despite experiencing underlying health challenges that may affect their wellbeing and performance.
“Most of these patients are still going to work and performing their duties, but they are carrying significant health burdens ranging from musculoskeletal problems to stomach disorders and persistent headaches,” he said.
Dr Pokuzvirevera said employers have a key role to play in reducing workplace-related health risks. He recommended that organisations ensure reasonable working hours, proper workplace design and adherence to occupational health and safety standards.
“Workplaces should provide ergonomically suitable furniture and equipment because many back and joint problems are linked to poor workstation design.
“Employers should also ensure workers have the appropriate protective equipment, particularly in environments where employees are exposed to chemicals, dust, or other occupational hazards,” he said.
He added that organisations should pay closer attention to workload management, especially for workers involved in physically demanding tasks.
“There should be proper work distribution and reasonable working hours. Employees involved in heavy manual labour need adequate protection and support to reduce the risk of long-term injuries,” said Dr Pokuzvirevera.
