By: Tayron Mhlongo – 26 APRIL 2024

24 April 2024 saw scores of the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) employees flocking to the University’s Desmond Tutu Great Hall foyer for the Annual Employee Wellness Day.

Organised and hosted by the Human Resources Department, the event aimed to educate and raise awareness among staff about the importance of taking care of their health and well-being, holistically. Among those who showed up to improve their overall health and wellbeing, was the Prof Khehla Ndlovu, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal along with Prof Louis Molamu, the Interim Registrar.

The 4D Healthcare Consultation (PTY) invited various organizations and companies to participate in the event, including Hands of Hope, ANOVA Health Institute, Abbott, Kaelo, SANCA Vaal Triangle, DKMS, Umvuzo Health, Professional Provident Society (PPS), iMas Finance, AVBOB, Old Mutual, African Bank, FNB, Nedbank, ABSA, and PayShap. These organizations provided a range of health and wellness services, including medical consultations, counselling, coaching, management support, legal advice, financial advice, as well as health screening.

The Human Resources Department says it hosts the day as part of a more comprehensive and integrated employee health and wellness approach. They also added that employee health and wellness is one of the biggest contributors to the successful functioning of the University across all its operations.

Ms. Dudu Maluka from 4D Healthcare Consultation, who is the broker consultant for VUT under medical aid, emphasized the importance of regular health check-ups for early detection and treatment of health complications. She stated, “It’s good for people to come and test, just to check their body mass index and overall health status. Sometimes people sit and they do not know if they have certain health complications such as high blood pressure. Therefore, it is better for them to get tested and find necessary help at the early stage.”

During the event, nurses tested the staff members, and they received their immediate results. If any health-related issues were discovered, the staff members were referred to health professionals for further evaluation and treatment. The wellness day event also provided an opportunity for staff members to receive financial advice, clear up any doubts they had, and receive counselling and coaching services.

The VUT staff members appreciated the HR department’s initiative and participated in the wellness day event in large numbers. Overall, the event was a success, and it helped to promote the importance of health and wellness among the VUT staff members.

For medical aid inquiries, the staff can consult with Ms. Maluka at 4D Healthcare Consultation, Office AW109, extension number: 9340. For financial-related inquiries, they can go to Office AW118, extension number: 9697.