Active September at MSD Czech Republic 

This year MSD Czech Republic joined the nationwide Active September campaign, a month of movement, workshops and wellbeing activities designed to make healthy choices easier at work and beyond. It was the first time we were part of this campaign, and it was a big success: 1369 colleagues took part in more than 30 activities, the EPP Pomáhej pohybem app Steps Challenge participants collected 73,665 points. Take a deeper look at this month dedicated to our health and wellbeing in a conversation between Hana Táborská, HR Lead, and Eva Karásková, Healthcare Policy & Communication Lead. 

Hana: Eva, we just finished Active September at MSD Czech Republic. I am very proud that the vice-president of the Czech Chamber of Commerce, Jana Havrdová, the key representative and leader of Active Czechia campaign, has described MSD as one of the best examples among Active September participants.  From your perspective, why is a campaign like this important for our people and for MSD? 

Eva: For me, Active September isn’t just a campaign; it’s a practical expression of what we believe about health at work. Health does not arise in hospitals but wherever people live, work, and spend their free time. Employers can’t just wait and hope their employees will be healthy. With an aging population and healthy life expectancy ending four to five years before retirement, it’s in every employer’s interest to keep colleagues physically and mentally well for as long as possible. Campaigns like this help raise health literacy, encourage prevention, and make healthy choices easier at day-to-day level. So, your turn, could you share with us what activities we offered this year? 

Hana: A full calendar: yoga, bike rides, running groups, fitness and dance classes, brain training, and physiotherapy sessions, not forgetting about the wellbeing of our minds. The variety meant people could try something new at their own pace, whether that was a stretching session between meetings or a dance lesson with colleagues and connect with others across teams while doing it. 

Eva: And I am so proud of our Health Day which focused on cardiovascular health and prevention. It included glucose and cholesterol tests, blood pressure checks, and consultations with physicians and nutrition therapists. In total, over 120 colleagues were screened, which is amazing. 

Hana: From my perspective, an event like this is very important to engage employees and offer them a meaningful service or activity beyond standard employee incentives. From your point of view, can an internal initiative like this also support MSD’s position externally? 

Eva: Naturally. We use our voice to show that employers can be partners in prevention. By linking internal programs with national campaigns like Active September and sharing best practice through networks, we help multiply the impact and show what is possible.  

Hana: And that external impact was visible during the whole month! Internally, the campaign created real momentum: colleagues joined a wide range of activities, signed up for screenings, and started conversations about wellbeing across teams. The combination of education, action, and community made the impact clear. 

Eva: Indeed, Active September was an excellent reminder that supporting employees’ health is both a responsibility and an investment – for people, for business, and for society. 

Hana: Thank you, Eva. Let’s keep the momentum going! Movement is contagious, and healthy workplaces are the places where healthy lives can begin.