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Private sector charges companies on healthy living, HIV eradication

By Victor Gbonegun
14 July 2016   |   1:42 am
A coalition of private organisations has tasked companies to invest more in building a healthy workforce that would contribute to socio-economic development of their host communities and the country at large.
AIDS

AIDS

A coalition of private organisations has tasked companies to invest more in building a healthy workforce that would contribute to socio-economic development of their host communities and the country at large.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting held recently in Lagos by Nigerian Business Coalition Against AIDS (NiBUCAA), Acting Chairman, Dr. Gertrude Bassey, said private sector, as the engine room of the economy, needs to guard her manpower jealously by making issues of health a priority as the future success in globalisation could only be achieved through a healthy workforce.

Gertrude stressed that private sector must step up efforts at playing critical role in the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), synergises with government in the enactment of laws and formulation of policies that would protect health, ensure safety, and educate employers on responsibilities towards their employees.

In an address, Chairman of MTN Foundation and Co-Chair, (NiBUCAA), Dr. Pascal Dozie, recalled that between 2012 and 2013, many employees of companies in East Africa were almost wiped out as a result of the scourge of HIV/AIDS.

He noted that this informed the establishment of NiBUCAA by former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and others, to save the private sector from total health collapse.

He urged companies to join hands in promoting healthy living and touching lives of people.

“We still have the challenge of HIV/AIDS, and we must come up with a new commitment and sustained interest through NiBUCAA.”

In a lecture themed: “Basic Nutrition: Tips for Healthy Living and Maintaining a Healthy Living and Work-Life Balance”, the guest lecturer, Dr. Anslem Audu told participants to address the issue of malnutrition as failure to do so could lead to its transmission from one generation another.

He stated that the essentials of healthy eating cannot be overemphasised in men and women, advising people to eat only when hungry and develop the culture of eating varieties, ‘colour your plate’, he advised.

“Choose fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein, and dairy sources that are low in saturated fat, avoid trans fat, excessive sodium, and added sugar.

Water helps your body; Keeps its temperature normal, lubricates and cushions your joints and protects your spinal cord and other sensitive tissues. Take at least 8glasses of water per day,” he said.

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