Sharjah 24: The Health Education Department of Sharjah Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA) announced, on Tuesday, in a session organised in the council’s theatre, the results of the field trip of the Wazin programme, which came to light in 2017.

22 government agencies in Sharjah participate in the programme, one of the most important initiatives of the Health Education Department that aims to enhance work-life balance through a consistent and organised approach among employees in Sharjah Government. The programme includes standards for institutions that contribute to creating an environment that promotes employee health and supports the principles of health in the workplace. The programme also focuses on four main areas: healthy lifestyle, work environment, workplace safety and organisation culture.

The session was attended by His Excellency Sheikh Sultan bin Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director of the Department of Statistics and Community Development; Her Excellency Iman Rashid Saif, Director of the Health Education Department; His Excellency Professor Dr. Muhammad Alam Al Din, Dean of the College of Health Sciences at the University of Sharjah; and a number of representatives of government departments and partners such as the University of Sharjah, represented by the College of Health Sciences, the Department of Statistics and Community Development and the Department of Human Resources. 

Wazin Programme is one of the Department’s initiatives and projects, whose activities are held annually under the generous patronage of the wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Muhammad Al Qasimi, Chairwoman of SCFA, with the aim of ensuring a healthy work environment for all employees in Sharjah government.

Her Excellency Iman Rashid Saif announced during her speech the results of the field trip within the “Wazin” programme, which targeted 22 government institutions in the Emirate of Sharjah, including 80% of Sharjah government employees, noting that the study methodology was as follows: 15 teaching members From the College of Health Sciences at the University of Sharjah, they supervised the questionnaires and analysis of information, and peer-reviewed scientific studies are being prepared. The study included 3 methods, including field visits to review the programme standards and e-questionnaires for all employees of government institutions in the Emirate of Sharjah. Interviews with leaders were coordinated in 22 institutions. 6 interviews have been conducted so far, and the interviews will be completed in May 2024, where 8 topics were discussed about the workplace, including: healthy nutrition, promoting physical activity, accident reporting systems, community activities, smoking cessation support practices, access to primary health care, support available to parents, and emergency and disaster preparedness plans.

Her Excellency Iman Rashid Saif confirmed the highest positive results (satisfied and very satisfied) for job satisfaction rates and the ability to contribute effectively to society at a rate of 74.6%, the ability to give and exploit individual potential at a rate of 73.5%, and satisfaction with the salary compared to the required workload at a rate of 70.2%, which means that 89% of employees do not suffer from high job stress, which reflects a positive work environment. On the other hand, it was reported that 89% of employees participated in volunteer activities during the past 12 months (during 2023). The questionnaires also showed the percentage of healthy nutrition of employees and showed that employees who eat classified healthy to very healthy at the workplace, represent 55.4%

In conclusion, Her Excellency Iman Rashid Saif thanked and praised the wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Muhammad Al Qasimi, Chairwoman of SCFA, for Her Highness’s continued support and generous patronage of the Department’s initiatives and projects, through which she looks forward to actively contributing to strengthening Sharjah’s efforts to be the first healthy city in the region and the world.