GGML PROVIDES FREE HEALTH SCREENING AT OSHA 2024 EXHIBITION

More than 200 people in Arusha have come forward for health screening by Geita Gold Mining Limited (GGML). Among them, it was found that they have a problem with being overweight.

None were found to be infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), but one was found to have all the symptoms of chest pain and was referred to the local Mount Meru Hospital.

This is according to the GGML's occupational health specialist, Dr. Cretus Karwani, who spoke to our reporter about the health services provided at the GGML pavilion at the Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA) 2024 exhibition in Arusha.

He said at the pavilion, they have continued to measure weight, height and various diseases such as diabetes, blood pressure, HIV and other diseases.

"For example, there is a young woman who came for a health screening, we found that her blood pressure and sugar had dropped and we found out that it was because she did not eat on time. She came in the afternoon, so we gave her first aid and told her to drink soup and lots of water," said Dr. Cretus Karwani.

Dr. Karwani said one of the things that participants or members of the public who visited the GGML pavilion learned was how the company provides health services to its employees.

"We explained to visitors at the stand what we do at work. We told them that when an employee is hired, we do tests to know if he or she is fit for the job he or she has been hired for, according to their health, before they start working at GGML. So, we also measure every new employee to classify their weight and height and advise them.

"We measure his ears, eyes, chest and other things to know if they are OK or not. These are measurements that we repeat every year," he said.

He also said that they always monitor the employee's working environment to find out if the noise level is too high, dust and other things to know if the worker is affected.

One of the people who came to take advantage of the health services at the pavilion, Mussa Abdalah, thanked the company for providing these services because, apart from giving people the opportunity to learn about various things related to health and safety at work, it was also an opportunity for them to know the state of their health for free.

"These are completely free tests, we are very grateful for this service," said Abdallah, a resident of Moshono in the region.