UHAS-FNBSPH Students Lead Health Promotion Campaign in Hohoe Municipality

What we consume has a more profound impact on our health than what we say.” This guiding message echoed through classrooms in Hohoe on March 13, 2025, as Level 400 Health Promotion students from the Fred N. Binka School of Public Health (FNBSPH) in the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) brought health education to life for pupils at Kpoeta Basic School and Roman Catholic Basic School, Atabu in the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region.

A lecturer at FNBSPH and a Public Health advocate, Dr. Veronica O. Charles-Unadike, led the outreach which formed part of a hands-on community service initiative aimed at promoting proper hand hygiene and nutrition awareness among school children. The activity was both lively and enlightening, engaging students in practical demonstrations, educational sessions and interactive discussions.

In her interaction with pupils and teachers during the programme, Dr. Charles-Unadike said, ‘Schools are one of the best places to lay the foundation for lifelong health habits. By teaching children, the importance of handwashing and balanced diets, we’re not just preventing illness, we’re building healthier communities.’

The event addressed three key areas: proper handwashing techniques, nutrition education and cholera prevention, particularly the risks of eating unwashed fruits like mangoes. Using posters, flyers and hands-on demonstrations with Veronica buckets, pupils learned how an activity as simple as soap and water can prevent serious illnesses.

Many pupils were surprised to learn that handwashing should last for at least 20 seconds. Others discovered the value of adding vegetables and protein-rich foods to their daily meals. ‘I didn’t know we had to wash mangoes with salt water before eating them, I’ll tell my family about it too.’ one pupil shared.