Student Services Wellness Day – Healthy Mind In A Healthy Body

BY: .

The annual Student Services Wellness Day hosted by the UKZN HIV/AIDS Programme was held earlier this year. Throughout the day general health screening (hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, weight, height, and body mass index) was undertaken by the campus and occupational health clinic nursing staff. HIV Counseling and Testing and TB screening was undertaken by external providers.

It was heartening to have more than a hundred staff from all campuses attend the health screening and encouraging to see the commitment of some staff who were very vocal in the wellness workshop.

The opening address by Dr Sibusiso Chalufu, Executive Director: Student Services, challenged the audience to take good care of their health by using the opportunity to know their health status and making wise choices. Dr Chalufu mentioned that the recent results of the University’s employment engagement survey had invigorated his Division to think seriously about ways to improve the qualitative engagement of staff in University life in line with the goal of making UKZN a “university of choice for staff”. ‘Our efforts as an Institution, as divisions or units should be to enhance our staff and students’ wellness from the various facets of wellness: occupational, emotional, intellectual, social, physical, environmental and spiritual wellness,’ said Dr Chalufu.

The HIV and AID Programme Coordinator Ms Nomonde Magantolo outlined the purpose of the day indicating the importance of health screening and highlighting some of the silent killers such as hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, cancer, etc. She also stressed the importance of a healthy body and a healthy mind, doing everything to minimise the spread of unnecessary social ills and illnesses.

The thought-provoking input from UKZN Safety, Health and Environment Manager, Ms Snegugu Tshabalala, raised awareness of how easily we neglect office workplace procedures.  Ms Tshabalala highlighted the importance of responsible behaviour among staff for health and safety compliance.

UKZN’s Dr Rubeena Partab conducted a workshop session titled “Honouring the Healthy Self” aimed at promoting personal transformation. Working in small groups, staff had the opportunity to share and create the time to nurture themselves.

The focus on responsible behaviour and money management was conducted by Mr Bathando Ntlabati. Staff were taken through various aspects aimed at ensuring financial wealth.

The exercise sessions undertaken by the peer educators and Virgin Active gave staff an opportunity to shed a few kilos whilst having fun. The lucky prize draws were sponsored by the Campus HIV and AIDS Support Unit (CHASU) and Three Cities Hotels. Heartfelt gratitude was expressed by Ms Magantolo for the support offered by all those who participated in the programme.

The UKZN HIV and AIDS Programme challenges all Colleges to promote wellness on an ongoing basis, but especially during the mid-term vacation period as a refreshing stress reliever. The Student Services Division looks forward to greater staff involvement in the next programme.

-          UKZNdaba Online