Experts give health tips to students

By Gabriel Dike
Experts from Emzor and Pharma-Deko Pharmaceuticals as well as a doctor recently gave tips for healthy living to pupils and staff of Cobert Schools, Ejigbo, Lagos..
The experts spoke at the maiden health day of the school with the theme “Building immunity for effective learning” included Dr. Chinenyem Obasi-Obonga, a clinician.
Emzor Pharmaceutical Ltd representative spoke on worm infestation, Pharma-Deko Plc, official talked about oral hygiene while the doctor dealt on immunity.
In his presentation, Obasi-Obonga explained that the challenge for most parents and caregivers would be to provide foods that guarantee optimal immunity and can be pocket friendly as well.
He said knowing the right foods is only the tip of the iceberg noting that other factors such as exercise, adequate rest and conducive environment also play a major role in someone’s health.
President, Association of Women Nutritionists in Nigeria (AWNN), Mrs. Beatrice Eluaka, disclosed that the nutritional status of Nigerian children leave much to be desired and calls for urgent action.
‘’Malnourished children have an increased risk of disability, premature death and are highly predisposed to disease such as diarrhoea. Those who survive have reduced mental function leading to learning disabilities. Investing in nutrition is one way to tackle the problem’’, Eluaka added.
She commended the management of the school for taking up the responsibility and making a deliberate effort to inculcate in the pupils, the need to imbibe good health and nutrition practices.
Chairman at the event, Mr. Hyacinth Njoku appreciated the proprietress interest to promote nutritional values among the pupils and staff of the school and urged that the health day be made an annual event to expose the kids and parents to health related issues.
Njoku urged parents and staff of the school to put into practice what they learnt from the experts especially for the interest of the chidren..
Propritress of Cobert Schools, Ejigbo, Mrs. Scholastica Ilechukwu, said the theme of the event was meant to draw the attention of parents and staff to the fact that learning and development have multidimensional angles which healthy immune system would help to actualize.
Ilechukwu stated that if the immune system of a child is weak, the child cannot resist some illnessness and would repeatedly be ill resulting in absenteeism from school.
She added: ‘’Part of the objectives of today’s event is to enable us understand that we can help the immune system and enhance learning and development. As concerned members of the community, we can help spread this message.’’