Well-being and productivity are bed-fellows

A research done by RiviaCo, a healthcare service provider, has revealed that hypertension (BP) and diabetes rank high as key health issues affecting productivity in the country.

The study sought to find out the impact of poor health on businesses and the broader economy, and therefore used findings from blood donation drives and health screenings.

For instance, RiviaCo discovered that 54 percent of Ghana’s labour force aged 27-62, in a study covering 23,000 patients, is highly hypertensive – with a prevalence of 68 percent among men. The research found diabetes’ prevalence stood at 37 percent, kidney disease at 23 percent, cancers at 26 percent and with mental health problems accounting for 36 percent of the unproductivity rate among the country’s workforce.

Also, work-related stress and mental health issues are leading contributors to absenteeism at workplaces.

Health is the cornerstone of productivity and long-term prosperity; consequently, prioritising it is crucial for businesses, governments and individuals alike. To this end, routine health checks should be prioritised and preventive care such as workplace wellness, stress management clinics and nutrition education must be key priorities for companies and employers.

Investment in health yields a triple benefit for businesses, individuals and the economy – as early intervention and diagnosis minimises productivity loss, improves outcomes and leads to economic growth.

According to RiviaCO, addressing preventable conditions like hypertension and diabetes – both of which affect over 50 percent of the country’s working population – can reclaim up to 20 percent of lost productive hours, translating into millions in recovered revenue for businesses annually.

A common adage says: “The wealth of a nation is the health of its people” and emphasises the importance of health for wealth-creation in a household or country. Bad health drives people into poverty because they have to spend their money on seeking health care, or they become invalided and cannot work to create wealth.

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