The Hygeia HMO Wellbeing Summit 2007- ‘Getting Well, Staying Well’. The event will focus on the World Health Organisation definition of wellbeing which is to be well in body, mind and soul. Although Hygeia HMO is in the health insurance business which traditionally concentrates on physical health, we have moved beyond this traditional approach to embrace a wider goal of assisting our clients and thereby Nigerians in general, to attain wellbeing. That is one of the reasons why we are organising the Wellbeing Summit which will hold on Tuesday, 23 January 2007.

It is our wish that our clients, friends, colleagues and partners lead healthier lifestyles and encourage their staff to do so and this event is our small contribution to achieving this. If we can help them to do this, then we believe that over time, by imparting practical and easy-to-adopt information we can hope to see an improvement in the wellbeing of the average Nigerian.

The Hygeia HMO Wellbeing Summit will bring together an audience comprising Hygeia‘s key clients, top level Human Resources managers from medium-large companies, healthcare professionals/organisations, NGOs and government officials.

The conference is designed to use a range of local and international speakers including medical doctors, nutrition experts, healthcare practitioners, company directors and those responsible for welfare within corporate settings to examine trends in healthy living worldwide, developments in Nigerian healthcare and to provide practical tips on healthy living which the average Nigerian (or Nigerian company) can adopt. The goal is to share valuable information which can be readily implemented with the hope that every participant will take one step during the event to improve their personal health and wellbeing in the future.

To this end, the event also includes an exhibition area which will be filled with companies offering products and services which can contribute to the improvement of body, mind and soul. These exhibitors include spas, gyms, hospitals, entertainment companies etc. whose stands will be as interactive and practical as possible, offering free demonstrations/tasting/trials to the delegates.

With the deadline for the Millennium Development Goals looming, the role of HMOs such as ours in assisting to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for Nigerians is growing ever more important. The government recognises this by its reintroduction of the NHIS but worldwide research supports the fact that private schemes are also required if significant improvements are to be made a country’s health. Nigerians need access to healthcare but they also need information about living healthy lifestyles and we hope with this event, we are beginning to discharge some of our responsibility to the nation in that regard.