CIMAS launches health plan for firms
CIMAS Medical Aid Society has launched a health and wellness plan “iGo”, a must for companies as it results in 100 percent commitment to work by employees and translates to high productivity.
The unique health scheme is meant to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent illnesses.
This comes at a time when most workers are failing to access medical services given the challenging macroeconomic environment.
IGo is the first of its kind to be launched in the country and is being offered for a monthly subscription coming as a natural medical facility where one maintains good health by healthy eating, exercising, recreation and others.
Cimas Group marketing executive Mrs Nyengeterai Mahaka said the service is aimed at building a healthier workforce for the industry not by treating ill-health but by enhancing good health. “IGo is a new programme. It’s the first time to be launched in Zimbabwe and is aimed at building a healthy nation and a healthier workforce,” said Mrs Mahaka.
She said most diseases that affect people are controllable and avoidable hence there is no need to allow the workforce to fall sick or die. “Wellness is holistic,” added Mrs Mahaka. “This is a health and wellness programme to promote a healthier membership as it empowers them to live a healthier lifestyle through implementing wellness programmes that teach skills, strategies and tools to reach nutrition, fitness and health goals by creating a wellness-centred culture in our member firms.”
She said iGo reduces employee healthcare costs, increases employee productivity and reduces absenteeism.
“This will promote a healthier and more satisfied workforce as well as improve profitability,” she said.
Cimas chief medical officer Dr Douglas Gwatidzo said wellness of a body is not only absence of a disease but the totality of food, rest, recreation and exercise.
“It all starts with the kind of food one eats. A plate must be divided into two-one half being vegetables the other half divided into starch and meat.
You should walk the dog or the cat, play with children and keep your weight checked.
“It has been studied that increasing life expectancy by one year increases GDP by four percent. Once a worker is well, you have a healthy alert employee giving 100 percent to tasks and avoiding absenteeism.
This effectiveness will improve turnover, growth, loyalty and innovation.”
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