Finance Ministry to Host Third Staff Health Expo on January 12

The Ministry of Finance and the Public Service will host its third Staff Health Expo on January 12.

The event, which is slated for the Ministry’s parking lot at National Heroes Circle in Kingston beginning 10:00 a.m., is intended to cater to the overall well-being of the Ministry’s staff complement of approximately 600.

Corporate Communications and Public Relations Director, Shelly-Ann Weeks, noted that the Ministry regards health as an important aspect of staff welfare.

“A healthy staff is a productive staff. We want to ensure that our staff members get access to these services that they can use to improve themselves, to be happier and healthier persons. We want to ensure that our staff is given the different tools to help them function at their optimum,” she said.

“It is the beginning of the year and usually persons are looking to be healthier to make better health decisions. We facilitate the staff at the Ministry and also our neighbours at the Ministry of Labour [and Social Security] and the Ministry of Education [and Youth]. So they can come over and do screenings, their blood pressure and also blood sugar tests,” Ms. Weeks added.

The mental wellness of staff will also be given attention as conversations around this area will be held at the expo.

“You won’t be counselled on the spot but you can make your appointment if you would like to see a mental health professional. They are going to be giving tips on how to better understand stress management and conflict resolution and other mental health skills,” Ms. Weeks informed.

Representatives from the Ministry of Health and Wellness will also attend the expo.

“[They]… will be sending their ‘Know Your Numbers’ team as part of their campaign. They’re going to be screening persons, as well, and giving nutritional advice as well as BMI and other health and dental tests,” Ms. Weeks told JIS News.

The event, which is slated to conclude at 3:00 p.m., promises to deliver invaluable information on basic health concerns and queries.

“We’re going to be doing lots of screening. So, wear comfortable clothing, especially for the exercise and nutrition part of it where they may need to test their agility; so, wear clothes you can move in. You don’t want to miss it. Just the sheer convenience of not having to go to a doctor’s office and wait… [as] they are coming right to my workplace… it is worthwhile,” Ms. Weeks added.