The Department of Infection Control, Sterilization, Environmental Health, and Occupational Safety celebrated today (Monday) the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, entitled "A safe and healthy work environment is a basic principle and a right to work,” under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Saeed bin Hareb Al-Lamki, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Health Affairs at the General Directorate of Al-Nahda Hospital.

Dr. Rashid bin Mohammed Al Alawi, Director General of Khoula Hospital, attended the celebration along with the heads of departments and clinics in the Hospital and a number of employees from all departments and clinics in Al Nahda Hospital, with the participation of 25 participants from 7 government and private authorities.

Azza bint Hilal Al-Barwani, a health, safety, and environment technician at Al-Nahda Hospital, pointed out that 865,000 people around the world - while performing their work - face the risk of death or exposure to harm. Around 2.8 $ trillion is spent annually on this issue, between money wasted due to lost work time and money spent on treatment, compensation, and rehabilitation for occupational damages and diseases.

She added: The International Labor Organization is working to define the slogan for the event every year. In June 2022, the International Labor Conference decided to include a "safe and healthy work environment" in the International Labor Organization's framework of fundamental principles and rights at work. On April 28, 2023, the organization celebrated this slogan, where it brought together experts and bodies to discuss its effects, as well as how to implement this right in practice in the world of work to bear the slogan of this year’s celebration under the title (a safe and healthy work environment is a basic principle and a right at work).

The event aimed to introduce the importance of adherence to health and safety in the occupational environment, with the aim of spreading health awareness in government and private health institutions in the community.

The importance of the event comes in promoting a culture of health and safety among workers in all sectors, identifying and reducing psychological and social risks and work pressures, identifying the emergency plan in the event of a fire, and introducing the community to the services provided by government institutions and companies in the field of occupational health and safety.