QUALITY HEALTH FOR ALL: NGO TAKES SENSITIZATION TO SCHOOLS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES IN KADUNA

The need to create the right awareness on self-hygiene among residents in rural communities of Kaduna state especially as it concerns children in schools has become paramount, for the avoidance and the spread of communicable diseases.

Penultimate week, before the directive of the Federal Government including that of the Kaduna state government that all primary, secondary and tertiary institutions should close down, following the outbreak of Corona Virus, otherwise now referred to as COVID-19, members of a Non-Governmental Organisation; the Women United for Peace and Development Foundation, WUPDEF in a proactive measure to sensitize children on the importance of self-hygiene, visited some of the schools within the state.

Among the schools and communities visited during the health advocacy, awareness and sensitization campaign with its theme: "Quality Health For All", is Kadori, a community located in the New Millennium city with the aim of creating awareness on 'Quality Health For All'.

During the visit to Kadori, students of the Zaihat Islamic Academy, Kadori engaged the sensitization team from WUPDEF which had an official of the state Ministry of Health on issues pertaining to self-hygiene and how to maintain a clean environment, both in school and at home.

With questions ranging on how to protect themselves from communicable diseases including the various sanitation measures that are in place in their respective environments, students of the Zaihat Islamic Academy showed surprising knowledge of several communicable diseases.

Addressing the students, a member of the WUPDEF team, Ms. Emmanuella Oghenetega advised the students on the need to have their hands washed thoroughly after any activity and for them to stay in rooms or enclosures with proper ventilation, which, in her opinion, is one easy means of staying safe.

Ms. Oghenetega while responding to the questions from the students of the Zaihat Islamic Academy explained that self-hygiene is paramount especially among young girls, as it will also help them maintain their personal health status considering the general belief that, educating a girl-child, provides you with an educated community.

She advised them to use the opportunity of the advocacy visit by the WUPDEF team to sensitize friends and family on the gains of a healthy and clean environment, which is key to a safe society.

The health official from the Kaduna state Ministry of Health, Mr. Abadan Goje spoke on infectious diseases that are prevalent in communities that have a high rate fatality if not properly treated.

According to Goje, Tuberculosis is treatable if detected early and taking preventive measures could also checkmate its spread among persons.

He highlighted its causes and how it can be prevented or treated, noting that the Kaduna state Government, under the leadership of Mallam Nasir Ahmed el-Rufai has established centres that specifically cater for cases of tuberculosis in the twenty three local government councils in the state.

Goje enjoined the students to report always, their health needs to the teachers and their parents whenever they feel feverish or have cough that persists after two weeks.

According to him, early detection and a follow up visit to health centres will help save a life, insisting that the treatment of Tuberculosis at any government designated health centre is free.

The Proprietor of the Zaihat Islamic Academy, Mallam Aliyu Salisu in his address, thanked the delegation from WUPDEF for seeing his school worthy of their advocacy visit noting that, “catching these children young”, is paramount to building a healthy society for the collective good of the society.

He disclosed that Zaihat Islamic Academy, which has been in existence for a long period, has been able to provide quality educational standards to its pupils and the Kadori community at large.