A state of wellbeing

Good health is actively and purposefully behaving in ways that leave you stronger, better nourished, less stressed, and more comfortable in your body and mind.

A significant proportion of the Namibian population are exposed to various health related risk

factors due to a lack of:

• interest in wellness programs;

• sufficient consumer education on the benefits of wellness programs;

• regular medical check-ups; and

• financial support (affordability issues).

The health-related risk factors include, but are not limited to elevated cholesterol levels, high blood

sugar levels and hypertension, which may lead to heart disease, diabetes or other chronic conditions. The importance of monitoring your health status cannot be overemphasised, as it is easier to stop a medical condition from happening in the first place than to repair the damage after it has occurred.

Did You Know?

There are several components to good health,

which include:

• Physical health;

• Mental health;

and

• Spiritual health.

Physical Health or physical wellbeing is the one you likely deliberate on the most. Do you have enough energy to do the tasks set before you? Do you get enough rest? Do you eat the right kinds of foods in the right proportions? Do you feel well? Do you feel fit? The second component is mental health. If you don’t have a healthy mental state it will be hard for you to live your life to the fullest extent. Are you under stress or are you able to cope with the normal stresses of life? Do you enjoy life? Are you happy with who you are? The third component of healthiness is spiritual health. Whatever your religious beliefs are, do you feel connected to them? Do you feel at peace?

What does forgiving others do for you? Do you feel grateful in life? Being at peace, forgiving and being grateful are all spiritual practices of good health.

This article will focus on physical health. The maintenance

or improvement of health is done via diagnosis, treatment as well as through the prevention of various diseases. All of us have a role to play in achieving or maintaining good health.

Here are some of the things you should do to become and stay healthy:

• eat a balanced diet and be careful of what goes into your body;

• get active and stay active;

• keep your weight in a good range;

• get enough sleep;

• find healthy ways to relieve stress;

• spend time with friends and family;

• nurture your spirit;

• take care of your chronic illnesses; and

• develop a relationship with a primary care provider

and become a partner in your own healthcare.

What is a chronic disease or condition?

A chronic condition is a human health condition or disease that is persistent or otherwise long lasting in its effects and it usually comes with time. The term chronic is usually applied when the course of the disease lasts for more than three months.

Characteristics of a chronic condition

When diagnosed with a chronic condition, we have to undertake enduring chronic care in order to prolong our lifespans. These types of medical care are designed to improve our welfare, from when such a condition was diagnosed until when such a condition is cured or in most instances, until when death occurs. During this period of chronic care, a large amount of money is often spent on treatment procedures.

Could it be that we have a habit of not paying attention to the fact that these diseases are largely

preventable through wellness programs?

The treatment of chronic diseases, contribute immensely to the escalating healthcare costs which

are incurred within the Medical Aid Funds Industry in Namibia, which in fact further contributes to the unaffordability of private healthcare. Therefore it is worth considering Ben Franklin’s words when he said, “An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure”.

According to the Namibian 2012/2013 Health Account Report published by the Namibian Ministry of

Health and Social Services in June 2015, spending in the healthcare sector was quite high compared to that of neighbouring countries with similar levels of income. Eight countries were analysed and Namibia was ranked the third highest during the 2012/2013 reporting period, which is why it is important for us to know the benefits of preventing chronic diseases against that of curing such diseases in order to reduce the cost of providing adequate healthcare.

What is a wellness program?

A wellness program is a program that is designed to help an individual attain and maintain a state of

well-being, especially a state of physical well-being. These types of programs mainly focus on the promotion or maintenance of good health rather than the alteration or treatment of poor health. Wellness programs are usually offered through the work place although Medical Aid Funds also offer them directly to their members. Wellness programs entail preventative healthcare measures with the aim of having minimal curative healthcare. While curative healthcare aims at curing diseases to reduce pain or stress, preventative healthcare focuses on the early diagnosis of diseases, the identification of possible risks of developing specific physical or mental problems and all necessary interventions to avoid such health problems as well as the counselling thereof.

As a member of a medical aid fund and depending on your age, you may have access to preventative

healthcare services at minimal costs. Wellness program services may include but are not limited to:

• preventative health screenings (regular testing/

screening of blood pressure, blood sugar levels

and cholesterol levels);

• cancer screenings;

• weight loss programs;

• diabetes management programs;

• programs to help you stop smoking; and

• counselling on issues such as the use of alcohol,

smoking, weight loss, healthy eating habits

and depression.

What are the benefits of a wellness program?

An Employer benefits from having healthy employees. Employees benefit from being healthy and having the assistance they need to address and maintain personal wellness. Many employees show weight reduction and improved physical fitness and stamina through wellness programs. Reports also show an increase in the well-being, self-image and self-esteem of employees, while at the same time resulting in a decrease in stress levels. Although private medical care can be quite expensive, the prevention of diseases can help avoid the high healthcare costs incurred by medical aid funds. Beyond the concern for the health of employees, wellness programs make sense for purely practical reasons. Soon after joining a wellness program, employers may observe a drop in absenteeism and sick days. Wellness programs also reduce the number of work-related injuries and repetitive strain injuries. A more reliable workforce will inevitably translate into a smoother work cycle and a more robust bottom line for the employers.

How can you as an individual stay healthy and why is it important?

As an individual, you can stay healthy simply by adapting to various good-health practices. This

would automatically reduce your chances of suffering from certain chronic diseases, in the short-run

as well as in the long run. If you try by all means to prevent diseases now through wellness programs, you’ll thank yourself later. The prevention of diseases can thus be considered an investment in yourself.

Choose to stay in good health now, or pay a large sum of money in future to get treatment for possible chronic diseases.

Good Health Practice

A healthier you, implies less medical expenses for you. Less medical expenses for you, means less

healthcare claims incurred by your medical aid fund. Join a wellness program, stay healthy and help reduce healthcare costs. – www.namfisa.com.na

Did you know?

Cover

The objective of medical aid cover is to guarantee access to essential healthcare to fund members.

STATS:

Medical benefits generally excluded:

Nutritional supplements

Any slimming preparations

Medicines used specifically to treat alcohol/drug addiction

Attempted suicide or intentional self-inflicted injury

Plastic surgery and cosmetic treatments

Wealth tip

Ask yourself what you can afford on monthly premiums

Wealth precaution tip

A medical aid fund benefit option is not a one-size-fits all.