Botswana Medical Aid Society (Bomaid) says it continues to champion embracing the necessary lifestyle changes to help shape healthier, happier and more holistically well Batswana.
It is these very three ideals that are not only within reach for all, but which are crucial towards ensuring a stronger and more formidable population, capable of fighting off potential ailments and indeed of embracing greater joy and opportunity – when we feel good, we do better!
In pursuit of this, Bomaid continues to identify key platforms and partners in support of this health and happiness first journey. Most recently, the Society has sponsored and endorsed the launch of an incredible book titled The Mindful Eater. Published by Afiya with Dr. Lebo of Afiya Health and Dietetics Consultants, the book is a crucial toolkit for how to ensure healthy eating habits and behaviours, as well as how to ensure improved diet and optimised food preparation.
As Botswana continues to grapple with the effects of rising Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), the reality of how important good nutrition and diet play cannot be overemphasised. Each year, NCDs cause 41 million deaths globally, and that the risk of death from the diseases are increased by lifestyle activities that include tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diets. Increased attention to preventative care is a key component of fighting NCDs, and this extends to sound diet, regular exercise, and investment in holistic wellbeing, including emotional and mental health considerations.
Further supporting this effort, Bomaid continues to avail such important platforms as use of the Abby Machine, a self-service health station that does 19 health checks in under 3 minutes, allowing users to be more aware and thus take greater control over their health status.
“Bomaid has been active in the fight against NCDs and as thus, is pleased to continue to support initiatives that work towards the same objective. From our sponsorship of marathon events such as BTC Francistown Marathon and Diacore to participation in wider running and charity walks, and our encouragement of exercise and self-care through such platforms as Fit4Life with the BIHL Trust, The Mindful Eater support and public engagement with Abby, we are focused on preventative care and value-based care. This means actively investing in better health outcomes, and not simply being who customers turn to in tough times,” said Dr. Kebabonye, Bomaid Chief Clinical Officer.
Bomaid, in continued alignment with its non-profit status, has embarked on a new strategic path premised on providing proactive and preventative healthcare solutions, striving to support Government’s efforts in reducing the burden of NCDs. This has meant a paradigm shift from medical to holistic wellbeing and playing a more involved and proactive role in Members’ lives and that of communities.
“First things first, people’s wellbeing is the priority. Being more mindful, intentional and deliberate with how we look after ourselves and our bodies is not something we can afford to take lightly. We want to help our members with just that – shape the right lifestyle and invest in the right health plan. We’re evolving as a society to better serve in this regard, because we owe it to each other as a community to do better for ourselves and each other,” concluded Dr. Kebabonye.
