Sasol employees take responsibility for their health #ItsMyResponsibilityToo

Sasol employees were educated on inclusion and equality and encouraged to take action on topics including gender-based violence (GBV), World Aids Day and persons with disabilities.

The campaign, which took place between 2 December and 6 December, was entitled #ItsMyResponsibilityToo, enticing employees to give back.

Sandton Chronicle joined their events on 2 December marking World Aids Day.

Sasol occupational medical specialist Dr. Dudu Masilela said, “We are hoping to encourage employees and contractors to take responsibility for their health. Because we live in a highly pressurised society, we tend to neglect ourselves. Only you have the power.”

She said that though South Africa has gone through a successful period concerning HIV awareness, diagnosis and treatment, there is still much work to be done.

“The statistics in our country are still alarming. Only 60 per cent of people who are supposed to be on treatment are on treatment. The risk of transfer remains high.”

She said that a new drug, TLD, which is cheaper and easier to take, is soon to be introduced in SA and should bring about some change.

The 3 200 staff members at their Sandton headquarters were offered free health screenings for HIV, blood pressure, glucose, PSA, BMI, and cholesterol.

Head of well-being at Sasol Mbali Maseko said, “We are encouraging people to know their numbers and lead a healthy lifestyle.”

Chefs, dieticians, biokineticists, financial advisors, mental health experts, and other experts addressed interested staff and answered their questions about non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes which often result from living an unhealthy lifestyle.

Sasol also offers an on-site clinic with a nursing sister on-site who is willing to check blood pressure, conduct pap smears, sugar tests, glucose tests and more.

Dietician Yolandi Dippenaar encouraged people to eat lots of fruit and vegetables and maintain a balanced diet, taking in food from all food groups.

Biokineticist Kobus Verster said that exercise can help with 35 chronic illnesses. He said that regular exercise can help to reduce blood pressure and lower insulin levels.

Mental health expert Navlika Ratangee said that since people are exposed to more stress today than ever before, this exacerbates mental health problems. “By 2020, it is expected that 80 per cent of the workforce will be struggling with depression.” She said that at present, one in four people will suffer from a mental health issue at some point in their life. Depression and anxiety are the most common in the workplace.

Ratangee said that it is important that staff should understand their triggers, know themselves and discover coping mechanisms.

Related article:

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/243419/communities-urged-make-difference-world-aids-day/