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Health Authority Commits to Cultivating Healthier Workplace Culture for Employees2
Representatives from government and non-government agencies participate in the regional breastfeeding workplace wellness forum at the Golf View Hotel in Manchester on Tuesday, September 19.

Health Authority Commits to Cultivating Healthier Workplace Culture for Employees

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The Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) which administrates public  healthcare in the parishes of Clarendon, St. Elizabeth and Manchester will  be strengthening its facilities to foster a healthier workplace environment  and culture. 

Health Authority Commits to Cultivating Healthier Workplace Culture for Employees1
Regional Director for the Southern Regional Health Authority, Michael Bent encourages employers to foster a culture of wellness in their organizations.


The announcement was made by Regional Director for the SRHA, Michael
 Bent, who referred to the Ministry of Health & Wellness’ Corporate Wellness  Manual, which is a guide for employers to utilize in concretizing a staff  wellness programme focused on physical activity, nutrition, health  screening, as well as providing an enabling environment to allow staff to  carry out healthy lifestyle practices. 

Health Authority Commits to Cultivating Healthier Workplace Culture for Employees2
Representatives from government and non-government agencies participate in the regional breastfeeding workplace wellness forum at the Golf View Hotel in Manchester on Tuesday, September 19.


“I just want to assure the staff of the Southern Regional Health Authority
 that management has bought into corporate wellness. Part of my charge  to the Parish Managers and CEOs is to put in resources if you haven’t yet  done so, so that persons can have a place to breastfeed, although we  already have it in some facilities. I have also asked them to put in place  the amenities to encourage persons to take their meals to work so that  they can eat from home. Management has bought into this and I want as  we go forward, we ensure that budgetary preparations are made for the  implementation or expansion of a healthy workplace culture.” 

The Regional Director was speaking at a regional breastfeeding  workplace wellness forum at the Golf View Hotel in Manchester on  Tuesday, September 19 in commemoration of National Breastfeeding  Week, September 17 to 22. The forum targeted scores of government and  non-government employers and encouraged them to provide an  environment and culture which will support breastfeeding and wellness. 

“I am hoping that this forum will not just be an event but a programme  that we want to be implemented in all government and non-government  organizations within the central parishes of Clarendon, Manchester and

St. Elizabeth. As a region, and an agency of the Ministry of Health &  Wellness, we are promoting not just exclusive breastfeeding but a culture  of wellness in the workplace. My charge to you is let us make one step at  a time together. When you get back to your different places of work, think  and start doing. You don’t have to see all the monies or resources but  start the process” Mr. Bent added. 

Mr. Bent pointed out that over the years, the SRHA has been fostering this  culture of workplace wellness, noting that of the seven public hospitals in  the country to be certified baby friendly, three of them are SRHA hospitals (Lionel Town, Black River and Mandeville Regional hospitals). He added  that the SRHA was also the first government agency to grant paternal  leave.  

The Ministry of Health & Wellness launched its revised Corporate Wellness  Manual as well as a physical activity page in 2021. They form part of the  Ministry’s drive to encourage Jamaicans to incorporate healthier lifestyle practices in their lives and daily routines, in a bid to reduce non communicable diseases and improve mental wellness. The manual is available on the Ministry’s www.moh.gov.jm website. 

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