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In a significant move to prioritize workplace health and well-being, the Department of Labor and Human Resources (DTRH by its initials in Spanish) and the community-based coalition VOCES announced a strategic alliance on Tuesday to implement the TEAL Healthy Companies program, an initiative focused on chronic disease prevention and early detection within work environments.
Designated DTRH Secretary Nydza Irizarry Algarín emphasized the importance of safe and healthy working conditions.
“Through this alliance with VOCES and the TEAL program, we are fostering preventive strategies and early detection of chronic diseases, aligning with Gov. Jenniffer González Colón’s program,” she said. “This collaboration strengthens public policies that protect our workforce.”
VOCES founder Lilliam Rodríguez Capó highlighted the necessity of integrating preventive health measures in the workplace.
“Our collaboration with the DTRH signifies a crucial step toward a preventive approach for employee health in Puerto Rican companies,” she said. “Our goal is to reduce the impact of chronic diseases and cultivate a culture of well-being.”
As part of the agreement, the DTRH will facilitate the implementation of the TEAL program in various companies, promoting public policies aimed at enhancing preventive health measures and integrating those initiatives into existing occupational health and safety programs.
In turn, VOCES will establish an advisory panel comprising both public and private sector representatives, offering health promotion workshops within companies and assisting in the organization of health fairs for employees.
In a timely demonstration of this alliance, an immunization clinic, open to employees and the general public alike, was held at DTRH headquarters in Hato Rey. Attendees received vaccines for HPV, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, pneumococcal pneumonia, hepatitis and shingles, along with expert guidance on each.
The partnership between the DTRH and VOCES underscores the importance of health in the workplace, driving preventive measures and fostering the well-being of Puerto Rico’s workforce, the officials said.
