Staff and students of University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho (UHAS), spearheaded by the School of Nursing and Midwifery (UHAS) undertook a School Health Education outreach at Kpando Senior High School. This gesture is in line with the University’s core mandate of teaching, research and community service.
Mrs. Comfort Addai (the Headmistress of Kpando Senior High School) in her welcome address expressed the institution’s gratitude to UHAS and pledged to provide the necessary support to make the health outreach a success and also work to strengthen the mutual relationship between both institutions .
Mr. Divine Kporha (a former SRC President of UHAS) briefed the over two thousand (2,000) students on the establishment of the University of Health and Allied Sciences, admission requirements and programmes on offer at UHAS.
Staff and students were engaged to find out their current knowledge regarding personal hygiene and contraceptives. They were further educated on contraceptives, H1N1 influenza, Lassa fever and also how to promote personal hygiene in order to live a healthy life.
As part of a screening exercise covering students and staff of Kpando Senior High School, vital signs (BP, Pulse, temperature, respiration), weight, height, and BMI were checked, candida screening (saline wet prep method), urinalysis (chemistry: dipstick) and RDT tests were conducted for malaria parasites infection. Random Blood Sugar (RBS) tests were also conducted. In all, seven hundred and twenty-five (725) participants were screened. Moreover, thorough assessment was carried out on vital aspects that have direct effect on students’ health; these include their school meals, dormitories, classroom environment, sewage disposal, water supply and latrine system.
Mr. Srem-Sai Kirchhoff Philip, the class representative of the level 200 Public Health Nursing students on his part stated that the School Health Education Programme is to among other things eradicate death associated with poor hygiene, reinforce academic performance, address the many health and econ omic setbacks associated with poor sanitation and personal hygiene in Senior High Schools in the Volta Region and beyond. He added that, the team of student volunteers is ready to extend the gesture to other senior high schools within the Volta Region and beyond.
Personally present to ensure the success of the programme were the Dean of School of Nursing and Midwifery (Professor Prudence Portia Nyaledzigbor), the Head of Public Health Department (Dr. Robert Kaba Alhassan), the Head of Nursing Department (Dr. Judith A. Anaman Torgbor), the Head of Midwifery Department (Dr. Margaret Amenuke-Edusei, Dr. Baku Elizabeth (a lecturer), Mrs. Comfort Worna Lotse (a lecturer), Mr. Seyram Agbotse (a lecturer) and fifty-five (55) student volunteers.