As part of activities commemorating its 10th anniversary, Zankli Research Institute (ZRI), Bingham University, facilitated a Health Day at Government Day Secondary School (GDSS), Masaka, Nasarawa State, reinforcing its commitment to community health education. The Health Club, established through the LIGHT Consortium in collaboration with Zankli Research Institute, provides a platform for promoting health awareness and encouraging healthy practices among students.

Representing the Director of Zankli Research Institute, Assoc. Prof John Samson Bimba, Mr James Ekwu delivered a health education session focused on disease diagnosis and prevention, with particular emphasis on tuberculosis (TB). He shared practical measures for preventing common diseases and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, encouraging the students to make these practices part of their everyday routines.

Among the preventive measures highlighted were regular hand washing with soap and clean water, maintaining a clean environment, ensuring proper ventilation in homes and classrooms, and sleeping under insecticide-treated mosquito nets to prevent malaria. He stressed that simple, consistent hygiene practices can help reduce the risk of many infectious diseases and promote a healthier school environment.

Speaking specifically on tuberculosis, Mr. Ekwu educated the students on the importance of recognizing symptoms, seeking early medical attention and adhering to prescribed treatment. He explained the need for good respiratory hygiene, including covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and emphasised the importance of adequate airflow in indoor spaces to reduce the risk of airborne disease transmission.

He encouraged students experiencing symptoms such as a persistent cough, night sweats, mild fever, loss of appetite and weight loss to seek medical evaluation promptly rather than ignore the signs or resort to self-medication. He also urged them to avoid stigmatising people affected by TB and to support efforts to ensure that individuals with symptoms receive appropriate care.

Mr. Ekwu shared an experience from a community intervention in Nasarawa State, where the team encountered a young girl who was seriously ill and unable to walk. Her condition was attributed to witchcraft, and she had been left under a tree to die. During a community sensitisation exercise, the team tested her for tuberculosis (TB), and she tested positive. She was placed on treatment, and within two weeks, she had improved significantly and was playing around again. He emphasised that the experience highlights the importance of proper diagnosis and timely treatment, urging students to promote health awareness and encourage people to seek medical care rather than attribute illnesses to superstition.

Speaking earlier, the Principal of GDSS Masaka, Mr. Yusuf Dangana, expressed appreciation to Zankli Research Institute, for its sustained support and commitment to improving students’ health and well-being. He commended the Institute, for facilitating the event and investing in the future of the students through health education and the promotion of healthy lifestyles.

Mr. Dangana noted that the Health Club’s programme was the first of its kind organised since he assumed office as the school’s new Principal. He expressed satisfaction with the Club’s activities and progress, acknowledging its potential to equip students with essential health knowledge and practical life skills.

He urged the students to listen attentively, learn from the facilitators and, most importantly, put the knowledge acquired into practice in their daily lives. He also encouraged them to participate actively in the Club’s activities and share important health messages with their peers and families.

The Health Club Patron, Mr. Patrick Bitrus, explained that the purpose of the event was to continually improve students’ knowledge of various diseases and strengthen their capacity to make informed decisions about their health. He emphasised that regular health education is essential to helping young people understand disease risks, embrace preventive behaviours and contribute to healthier school communities. 

The event offered an opportunity to educate students on common diseases, practical prevention strategies, personal hygiene, tuberculosis awareness, and the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate treatment among adolescent. 

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