The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), in cooperation with Johnson & Johnson Middle East, has launched the ‘Quality of Life & Mental Wellbeing’ Program which is targeting the employees of the ministry.
The 15-week program comes as part of MoHAP’s plans to consolidate the concepts and practices of the quality of life in the workplace. The program is based on specific approaches that help enhance the mental wellbeing of the employees and increase their productivity, thus elevating patient and customer satisfaction.
The newly launched program is the outcome of the ministry’s Quality of Life survey which witnessed the participation of 352 employees. It consists of 5 training modules that focus on emotional intelligence, adaptability, vigilance, and mindfulness meditation during times of crisis. Besides, the program places a particular emphasis on the role of the family as a great source of positive energy, besides the importance of physical activity, healthy lifestyles, sleep quality, and healthy eating to enjoy health and wellness throughout the life cycle.
The greatest asset
His Excellency Dr. Youssif Al Serkal, Director-General of the Emirates Health Services Corporation, said: “Our employees are our greatest asset. So, it’s a top priority for the ministry to enhance their quality of life and uplift their productivity and efficiency. This stems from our firm belief that improving the health and wellness of the employees would help develop their efficiency and enhance the team spirit and institutional loyalty.”
The program will provide a set of scientific-based applications and tools to achieve the highest levels of quality of life at the workplace through the focus on work-life balance. This is part of the ministry’s keenness to provide its employees with the necessary mental support and to launch programs and initiatives that help strengthen their mental wellbeing, especially the health professionals in the front line of defense in support of their great efforts to deliver comprehensive, integrated, and world-class healthcare services.
Aligned with the National Strategy for Wellbeing
Al Serkal went on to say that the program is aligned with National Strategy for Wellbeing at the workplace. It aims to highlight the importance of caring about physical and mental health, as well as to help employees achieve intellectual, physical, and mental development, by adopting positive thinking and developing life skills.
Concluding his remarks, Al Serkal pointed to the ministry’s painstaking efforts in developing scientific research and studies and publishing mental health topics in the relevant international magazines. This is in addition to developing information systems in the mental health field and preparing a comprehensive national statistical database for mental health to support the continuity and quality of health care for community members.
Flexible program
Dr. Mona Al Kuwari, Director of Specialized Care Department, said the program will help the employees build their capabilities and improve their skills and pave the way for them to identify their talents. The 15-week program includes 4 virtual sessions weekly. Each session lasts for one hour, while the participants will have the flexibility to choose the days, times, and language of the program, according to their preferences. Each training module will run for two weeks, followed by a one-week break.