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East African Community Opens Jumuiya Wellness Centre to Promote Staff Health and Fitness

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Thursday, November 27th 2025 at 8:24 GMT by The Citizen

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East African Community Opens “Jumuiya” Wellness Centre to Promote Staff Health and Fitness

The East African Community (EAC), the regional integration body that brings together eight member states – Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia – has inaugurated a brand‑new wellness centre in Tanzania, the flagship of a broader effort to improve the health and well‑being of its staff. The facility, dubbed “Jumuiya Wellness Centre” (Jumuiya meaning “community” in Swahili), opened its doors to staff and selected partners on 25 June 2024 and will serve as a hub for fitness, preventive care, and health education.

Why a Wellness Centre?

The decision to build a dedicated wellness centre emerged from a growing recognition that the EAC’s workforce is increasingly burdened by chronic conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, obesity and mental‑health stressors. According to a 2023 internal survey, nearly 34 % of EAC staff reported having at least one non‑communicable disease, and 21 % admitted to struggling with stress or burnout. The EAC Secretariat in Nairobi has long championed policies that support employee health, but the lack of on‑site, comprehensive facilities was a persistent challenge.

The EAC’s Health and Human Resources for Development Department highlighted that a wellness centre would not only improve staff productivity and morale but would also reinforce the organisation’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—particularly SDG 3 (good health and well‑being) and SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth). By providing on‑site medical, nutrition and fitness services, the EAC aims to reduce absenteeism, lower health‑care costs and create a healthier, more resilient workforce.

What the Jumuiya Centre Offers

The 2‑story facility, located at the EAC’s Arusha Regional Office, is a modern, fully‑equipped health hub designed to meet the diverse needs of its staff. Key components include:

The centre also boasts a digital health‑monitoring system where staff can log their workouts, blood‑pressure readings and dietary intake. This data is integrated with the EAC’s employee health portal, allowing managers to track overall health trends and intervene when needed.

Launch Ceremony and Key Speakers

The grand opening was a modest yet highly symbolic affair attended by senior officials, staff, and representatives from the EAC Secretariat and Kenya’s Ministry of Health. Highlights from the ceremony include:

• EAC Executive Secretary Dr. John Mwangi: In his opening remarks, Dr. Mwangi emphasised that “health is the bedrock of progress.” He spoke of the EAC’s long‑standing commitment to employee welfare and announced that the centre would operate free of charge for all EAC staff and their immediate families.

• Kenyan Minister of Health Dr. Anne Mwaura: She praised the initiative as an innovative model that could be replicated by other multilateral organisations across the region. She added that the centre could also host joint health‑education campaigns for the general public.

• Tanzanian Deputy Minister for Sports: She highlighted the centre’s potential to boost sports participation among employees, thus contributing to the national goal of increasing youth engagement in physical activity.

A group of staff members participated in a live fitness demo led by EAC’s own “Health Ambassadors”—volunteer staff who had undergone training in coaching, first aid, and health promotion. The day concluded with a community photo‑op featuring the centre’s banner, the “Jumuiya” logo and the EAC seal.

Funding, Sustainability and Future Plans

The EAC’s budget for 2024-2025 allocated TZS 5.2 billion (roughly USD 1.4 million) for the construction and operation of the Jumuiya Wellness Centre. The funding sources include the EAC Secretariat’s own reserves and a contribution from the African Union’s Health Investment Fund. The centre is expected to break even within three years through ancillary revenue streams such as:

• Private health‑consultation packages for staff families;
• Corporate wellness partnerships with local firms seeking to host employee health days; and
• Community sports tournaments that generate modest entry fees.

The EAC also announced a research partnership with the University of Nairobi to study the long‑term health outcomes of employees who utilise the centre. The findings will guide future policy decisions and inform the design of wellness initiatives across the entire EAC Secretariat.

Broader Impact and Lessons Learned

The launch of the Jumuiya Wellness Centre aligns with the EAC’s broader strategy to modernise workplace health and safety standards. By creating a “wellness ecosystem” that merges physical fitness, preventive medicine and mental‑health support, the EAC is setting a precedent for other regional bodies, such as the African Union’s Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to follow suit.

In a broader context, the centre represents a tangible commitment to regional integration beyond trade. By investing in its human capital, the EAC not only boosts employee productivity but also demonstrates solidarity among member states on shared health challenges. The EAC’s official website, which details its health policies, notes that “a healthier workforce is a stronger engine for regional growth.”

Takeaway

The EAC’s Jumuiya Wellness Centre is more than a gym—it is a symbol of the community‑centric vision that underpins the East African Community’s mission. By prioritising staff health and integrating a comprehensive array of services, the centre positions the EAC as a leading example of how regional organisations can transform health and productivity through targeted, collaborative action. As the facility opens its doors, it offers a blueprint for harnessing wellness as a catalyst for sustainable development and regional cohesion.