Media Release: Great attendance by staff at second GRDM Employee Wellness Day for the year

For immediate release
19 October 2022

On 14 October 2022, stakeholders from various organisations visited the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) to take part in the municipality’s second Employee Wellness Day for the year.

Employees from various offices of the municipality took part in the day packed with activities which included health screening tests, breast cancer and mental health awareness talks (October is breast cancer and mental health awareness month), a blood donation drive, as well as an active grid class together with nutrition talks. Medical Aid companies involved, also presented their annual presentations to stakeholders. Furthermore, information stalls were available for staff to source details about their lifestyles, health and overall well-being. The Western Cape Department of Health, the Cape Retirement Fund, various medical aids (Bonitas, LA Health, SAMWUMED, Sizwe-Hosmed and KeyHealth), the Virgin Active team, First National Bank, Nedbank, Spec-Savers and the Western Cape Blood Service, attended to the questions posed employees.

Employees were eager to donate blood at the Employee Wellness Day.

In total, 141 health screening tests were performed, with fourteen (14) first-time donors and 17 regular donors who donated blood – five (5) willing staff members were unable to donate blood.  Further to these, mental health questionnaires/checklists were completed by employees who underwent health screening tests.

Early this year, with the first Blood Drive hosted by GRDM, a total of 20 donors were targeted. This time around, 39 donors participated in this selfless act. Nineteen (19) of the donors were new, while 9 were regular donors. In total, 136 health screening tests were performed on staff for either blood pressure or blood sugar levels, to name a few.

Staff members participated in the Active Grid Class conducted by Virgin Active.

These figures are an indication of how GRDM employees take ownership of their health and overall well-being. The event was organised by the Human Resources Unit’s Employee Assistance Programme Unit.

Did you know?

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally.
• An estimated 17.9 million people died from CVDs in 2019, representing 32% of all global deaths. Of these deaths, 85% were due to heart attack and stroke.
• Most cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by addressing behavioural risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and obesity, physical inactivity, and harmful use of alcohol.
• It is critical to detect cardiovascular disease as early as possible so that management with counselling and medicines can begin.

Research statistics show that although 75% of the population in the Western Cape might require blood transfusions in their lifetime, a mere 1.5% are blood donors. If you’re otherwise healthy, it’s very likely that you can donate blood and help balance out these numbers. With a single donation you could save three lives – and it won’t cost you a cent.

Staff members underwent various screening tests and attended educational talks.

Are you interested in donating blood and saving the lives of three people? Visit the Western Cape Blood Services website at https://www.wcbs.org.za/blood-donation/becoming-a-donor/.