News

Full marks for Etanans on Wellness Day

30 January, 2012

Aerobics workouts, cholesterol tests, boot camp fitness challenges, and mountain hikes were the order of the day at Etana’s countrywide Wellness Day on Friday 27 January.

For the past seven years Etanans countrywide have voluntarily supported a free Wellness Day programme in the interests of promoting good health. Once again Etana Johannesburg saw a 100% turnout for their annual health assessments.

Johannesburg’s Etana House atrium resembled a beehive in which empowered Etanans buzzed around and completed a series of basic health assessments organised by Sue Burger of Healthcare Solutions in collaboration with Discovery Health and Independent Counselling and Advisory Services (ICAS).

“We love coming to Etana because they always have an excellent turnout on Wellness Day,” says Sue. Explaining how the process works, she adds: “Preliminary health reports provided today are followed by in-depth assessments and advice tailored to each individual’s needs. Where necessary Discovery Vitality offers intervention as an after-care service. This is done on a confidential basis and may include, for example, dietary and exercise advice.”

Tests included cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure and HIV testing, as well as height and weight measurements to establish Body Mass Index (BMI). Once the tests were concluded, personal health reviews were provided to participants, along with expert guidance on specific areas requiring attention to improve their overall health status.

The Wellness Day had an added bonus in the form of 25% discounts for participants on an array of health food products. Although the programme included non-Discovery members, those on the medical aid were encouraged to move from beginner status up the ranks to qualify for travel, lifestyle and shopping incentives and discounts. Login and improve your Vitality status.

In a holistic approach, the emotional needs of Etanans were also met by ICAS representatives who were on hand to provide counselling on a range of issues including stress, legal advice, relationships, finances, substance abuse and family matters.

Etana’s Head of People and Brand, Carel Nolte, was beaming with pride as the event again enjoyed a full turnout of Etanans keen to review their personal health status.

Although the programmes differed slightly between Etana’s “local is lekker” regions, the focus remained the same: promoting health awareness.

“A healthy body promotes general wellness, and when people feel good they’re able to perform better and live longer,” says Etanan Bruce Ceprnich.

With good health in mind Cape Town and Boland Etanans also celebrated by teaming up with members of industry publication RISKSA and Etana’s Construction, Engineering and Guarantees team to hike up Lion’s Head in the interests of healthy living.

In Cape Town, the new Etana Construction, Engineering and Guarantees team led by Anthony Jones joined in the Wellness Day activities by hiking up Lion’s Head early in the morning. The red eyed Etanans met just after 05h00 and were joined by two representatives from Risk SA and seasoned Etana Daredevil runner and Red Sock Friday man John McInroy as the hiked up the mountain.

Etana marketing manager Josie Holley says they organised the hike to show new Etanans some of the fun culture of Etana and to reiterate the value of making it happen, “The team spirit was awesome as we helped each other every bit of the way.” Once they reached the bottom, the team made a pact to climb Lion’s head once a month, and to reward themselves with leaving the office at 14h30 on those days.

Not to be outdone, Durban and Pietermaritzburg Etanans, along with the Etana Trucking team, adopted a more hard-core approach by taking on a boot camp fitness challenge, which may be the reason Zuriel Naiker happened to be on “urgent” business in Johannesburg on the day!

Since Etana is in the business of “making it happen”, the next health-related event on the horizon will be the mid-year cancer awareness programme in which prostate and breast cancer testing take centre stage.