A $1 million award is now available for energy companies that prioritize the physical and mental wellbeing of their employees. This initiative, launched by Burjeel, an Abu Dhabi-based hospital operator, and Response Plus, a provider of emergency medical services, aims to recognize organizations that implement innovative and effective health solutions for their workforce.

The ‘Human Energy Award’ will be granted to the company that demonstrates the most impactful and measurable strategies to enhance the health and wellbeing of energy workers. The first award winner is set to be announced in November. This initiative adds to the UAE’s existing $1 million awards for outstanding teachers and healthcare workers, provided by entities such as GEMS and Aster DM.

According to the organizers, “The Human Energy Awards are the first global recognition platform focused exclusively on workforce wellbeing in the energy industry.” The awards are open to organizations of all sizes, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within the energy supply chain, where the financial incentive could significantly influence both operational and cultural improvements.

An independent jury will evaluate the submissions for this new prize. Dr. Richard Heron, former vice-president of health and Chief Medical Officer at BP, will chair the jury. He will be joined by wellness coach Vinay Menon, who has worked with elite sports teams like Chelsea FC and the Belgium national team during FIFA 2022, and John Defterios, a former CNN correspondent and economic analyst.

Steven Wines, CEO of Prometheus Medical International, a subsidiary of Response Plus Holding, stated that this initiative is aimed at recognizing and inspiring organizations that adopt innovative approaches to health and wellbeing. He emphasized the goal of encouraging solutions that can make a significant difference for individuals across the energy value chain.