Recognising the importance of health and wellness in the workplace, the Department of Local Government yesterday hosted a health fair for its more than 100 employees.

According to Natalee Francis, one of the organisers of the health fair, the event was one of many activities arranged by the department to observe Local Government Month.

"We want our staff to know that we care about their overall health," Francis told The Gleaner yesterday during the fair, which was held at the department's Hagley Park Road offices in St Andrew.

good mental health

Employees benefited from glucose, electrocardiogram (ECG) and cholesterol testing. The Ministry of Health and a team from Bellevue Hospital were present to emphasise to the employees the importance of good mental health.

In her remarks, Dr Tamu Davidson-Saddler said employers should recognise the importance of health and wellness in the workforce. She added that when workers are healthy, productivity levels usually increase.

She warned the local-government employees to be careful of their lifestyles, pointing out that chronic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, were widespread in the population.