WHY NB BUILT NEW STAFF CLINIC, BY MD/CEO

By NBF News

Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc, the country's biggest brewery house, has commissioned a new staff clinic in Lagos. The medical facility will cater to the health needs of the employees and members of their family. The company's pensioners will also have access to the clinic as well as members of their families.

Speaking at the formal commissioning on Friday, February 25, 2011, Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer stated that the facility was part of measures to ensure a healthy workforce.

He said: 'As a socially responsible corporate organization, Nigerian Breweries places high  premium on the well being of her people, which explains the reason we have  always  had  a  clinic to cater for, not only the health needs of our management  and staff, but also for their families.'

Mr. Vervelde stated that the company had to construct a new health facility because employees faced certain challenges in accessing the old clinic which had been in existence for about 30 years.

He said: 'The clinic used to be located inside Lagos Brewery. As a result of expansion   and optimization of facilities at the brewery it became challenging for staff and their spouses to gain access to this very key facility which was located at the core of brewery operations. Due to this

and other safety considerations, management decided to move the clinic to a more conducive and accessible location.'

The new facility has two consulting rooms equipped with ultra modern examination couches, pulse oximeters, digital BP machines, ECG machines and electronic patient record documenting system, two comfortable observation rooms and a physiotherapy unit.

The new clinic also has an emergency room with a complete crash trolley fitted

with oxygen; automated electronic defibrilator and lifeguard emergency bed with oxygen. Additionally, the medical facility has a Medical laboratory which is equipped with ultra

modern chemistry analyser, hematology analyser and a phlebotomy chair.

While urging the employees and the pensioners to take advantage of the facility, Mr. Vervelde urged them to pay more attention to their health.

'The company has provided this facility and the onus is now on our people to make good use of it. As we formally commission this facility today, the company would appreciate if our people would take advantage of it and pay more attention to their health, reporting on time any unusual experience or finding in their body systems. Always   keep  your  medical  appointments  and  ensure  correct  usage  of professionally  recommended  drugs.  I believe, if we keep these rules, we would not only ensure a healthy workforce but, a healthier and wealthier Nigeria', Vervelde advised.

Speaking also at the event, Mr. Samson Aigbedo, the Lagos Brewery Manager said: 'This health facility will provide total solutions to the health needs of all employees and members of their families without any form of discrimination.'