300 secondary school students sensitized on malaria, others

Three hundred secondary school students from 10 schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been trained on malaria and other health and development issues. The students were trained by the international non-governmental organization, Africare in partnership with ExonMobil and the National Basketball Association (NBA) under the Power Foward programme which focuses on developing life […]

Three hundred secondary school students from 10 schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been trained on malaria and other health and development issues.
The students were trained by the international non-governmental organization, Africare in partnership with ExonMobil and the National Basketball Association (NBA) under the Power Foward programme which focuses on developing life skills and raising public health awareness among high school youth using the game of basketball.
Speaking during the final basketball game between the two best school out of the 10 that participated in Abuja, Country Director of Africare, Dr. Orode Doherty said that the organizations have  over the past six months been implementing and creating foundational skills and knowledge by preparing in-school youths for success in the formal and informal sectors through basketball.
She said the programme which is in its third year teaches the students health tips, on disease prevention and also encourages them to spread the message. “We want to make sure the children learn about health and their hygiene among others,” she said.
 Dr. Doherty called on government to partner with the organization on the programme in order  to reach more people and encourage sports and healthy lifestyle.
She said throughout the third year of the programme students participated in 60 community projects, spoke to over 6,000 people within and outside the communities and distributed over 2,000 Long Lasting Insectide Nets (LLIN)
Minister of Health,  Dr. Isaac Adewole who was represented at the event by Dr. Nnenna Ezeigwe the National Coordinator, Non Communicable Diseases Control Division of the ministry said Power Forward was a powerful tool in engaging the youths positively, adding that with the attraction of basketball, it will sustain their interest in the health program and empower them with the skills to  live  productive lives .
She said malaria was still a public health burden and threat especially for children under five years and pregnant women. Patrick  Adah,  Director Malaria Programs, Africare, Nigeria said despite the efforts and resources channeled towards the fight against malaria,  it  was still prevalent in the country.