By Iroyin Yoruba Television
A United States-based medical foundation has launched a health education programme targeting 600 schoolgirls across Abia and Enugu states, combining practical health lessons, personal hygiene education and guidance on personal safety to help students make informed decisions about their wellbeing and future.
The initiative, organised by the Quantus Medical Foundation, was introduced at Abayi Girls Secondary School in Aba, Abia State, on Friday, October 9, as part of activities marking the International Day of the Girl Child on October 11.
The programme is being facilitated by Nigerian-born physician Dr Nnenna Ihekoromadu, who established the foundation to support health education and improve access to appropriate healthcare information.
According to a report published by The Guardian on October 10, the outreach includes health talks, practical hygiene education, question-and-answer sessions and the distribution of personal hygiene kits.
The programme is scheduled to extend to Afugiri Girls Secondary School in Umuahia, Abia State, and Idaw River Girls Secondary School in Enugu, Enugu State, on Monday, October 12.
Under the theme “Healthy Girls. Informed Choices. Stronger Futures,” the initiative seeks to help students understand their bodies, recognise health concerns, speak up when they need assistance and know where to obtain appropriate support.
The programme also emphasises self-confidence, personal development and the importance of education in helping girls achieve their ambitions.
The outreach comes at a time when schools, families and health professionals continue to emphasise the importance of giving young people reliable information that enables them to make responsible decisions about their health and safety.
HEALTH EDUCATION TAKES CENTRE STAGE IN SCHOOLS
Health education is an important part of preparing students for adolescence and adulthood. Beyond academic subjects, young people need accurate information about personal hygiene, physical development, emotional wellbeing and the circumstances in which they should seek assistance.
For adolescent girls, these subjects can be particularly important because puberty brings physical and emotional changes that may raise questions or create uncertainty.
Without reliable information, students may depend on rumours, misleading social media content or advice from people who lack the necessary knowledge.
School-based health education offers an opportunity to provide information in a structured environment where students can ask questions and receive guidance from qualified professionals.
The Quantus Medical Foundation's programme uses health talks and question-and-answer sessions to encourage students to understand their health needs and seek help when necessary.
The distribution of personal hygiene kits also gives the initiative a practical dimension, complementing classroom discussions with materials intended to support personal care.
However, the value of such programmes depends on whether students understand the information, feel comfortable asking questions and can access appropriate support after the sessions end.
Teachers, school administrators, parents and healthcare professionals can reinforce the lessons by creating environments where students are encouraged to raise concerns without fear of embarrassment or unfair treatment.
The foundation's outreach therefore provides an opportunity to connect health information with the everyday experiences of schoolgirls.
ABIA HEALTH OFFICIAL EMPHASISES PERSONAL HYGIENE
At the programme's opening event in Aba, Dr Amaka Kamalu, the chief medical director of Aba General Hospital, encouraged students to maintain good personal hygiene and conduct themselves with confidence and dignity.
She stressed that cleanliness and self-respect should not be measured by the cost of clothing or a family's financial circumstances.
The message is important for students who may face social pressure to associate appearance with wealth, expensive products or particular beauty standards.
Personal hygiene is primarily concerned with maintaining cleanliness and reducing avoidable health risks. It does not require students to purchase expensive products or follow unrealistic standards promoted online.
For adolescents, basic hygiene practices may include regular bathing, appropriate handwashing, wearing clean clothing, caring for teeth and maintaining menstrual hygiene.
Schools can help by providing accurate guidance and ensuring that students understand how to practise these habits safely and affordably.
Kamalu also cautioned students against skin-bleaching creams and negative influences on social media, encouraging them to believe in their abilities.
The warning about skin-lightening products reflects concerns about the potential health risks associated with certain cosmetic preparations, particularly products that may contain harmful or undeclared ingredients.
Students should be encouraged to seek advice from qualified healthcare professionals before using products that promise rapid changes in skin colour or appearance.
The broader lesson is that health decisions should be based on reliable information rather than pressure to meet unrealistic beauty expectations.
Helping young people develop confidence in themselves can also make it easier for them to question harmful messages and make choices that protect their wellbeing.
ENCOURAGING GIRLS TO SPEAK UP ABOUT HEALTH CONCERNS
The foundation's programme also encourages students to recognise health problems and seek assistance when they need it.
Dr Uzo Oguine delivered the keynote lecture on behalf of Ihekoromadu, urging the girls to prioritise their health and speak out when they experience health challenges or abuse.
This aspect of the initiative addresses an important challenge facing young people: knowing when a situation requires help and feeling safe enough to ask for it.
Some students may remain silent about health concerns because they fear being judged, misunderstood or punished. Others may not know which adult or professional they can approach.
Clear guidance can help students identify trusted adults, school authorities and healthcare professionals who can provide appropriate assistance.
In cases involving possible abuse or immediate danger, students should be encouraged to seek help from a trusted adult or the relevant protection and emergency services.
Schools can support this process by establishing clear safeguarding procedures, explaining how concerns can be reported and ensuring that students are treated respectfully.
Teachers and other school personnel should also understand the appropriate steps for responding when a student discloses a serious concern.
Health education must go beyond telling young people to speak up. It should also help ensure that responsible adults know how to listen, respond appropriately and connect students with professional support.
By encouraging girls not to suffer in silence, the outreach seeks to reinforce the importance of early help-seeking and access to reliable care.
LINKING SCHOOLGIRLS WITH HEALTHCARE SERVICES
According to The Guardian, Oguine explained that the foundation's Patient Liaison Officers could help students access hospital services and reach appropriate healthcare professionals.
The foundation's presence at Aba General Hospital, Abia State University Teaching Hospital and Abia Specialist Hospital in Umuahia was highlighted as part of this support structure.
Patient liaison services can help people understand available services, navigate healthcare facilities and identify appropriate points of contact.
For students, knowing where to seek assistance may reduce uncertainty when they experience health concerns.
The availability of such support can be particularly useful when young people do not know which department or professional can address their needs.
Nevertheless, health education sessions cannot replace individual medical assessment. Students experiencing symptoms, injuries or other health concerns may require a consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.
The appropriate response will depend on the nature and seriousness of the problem.
Schools and programme organisers also need to respect students' privacy when discussing health matters. Sensitive personal information should be handled carefully, and individual cases should not be exposed during public activities.
Where students need additional assistance, responsible adults should explain the available options and help them access suitable services.
Connecting education with healthcare can make health awareness more practical because students learn not only what to look out for but also where they can obtain help.
EDUCATION AND THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL CHILD
The outreach was organised around the International Day of the Girl Child, observed annually on October 11.
The occasion draws attention to the rights, opportunities and challenges affecting girls, including access to education, healthcare, safety and participation in society.
Although school enrolment is an important measure of educational access, attendance alone does not guarantee that every student can participate fully in learning.
Health concerns, inadequate facilities, social pressures and unsafe environments can create obstacles that affect students' concentration, confidence and attendance.
Health education can help address some of these barriers by equipping students with information and encouraging them to seek support when necessary.
For example, accurate menstrual health information can help students understand normal bodily changes and identify when medical advice may be appropriate.
Reliable guidance about personal safety can also help young people recognise inappropriate behaviour and understand the importance of seeking assistance.
These subjects should be taught in an age-appropriate and respectful manner, with room for questions and clarification.
The International Day of the Girl Child also provides an opportunity to consider the relationship between education and future opportunities.
When girls have access to quality education and appropriate health support, they are better positioned to develop their abilities, pursue careers and participate in their communities.
The foundation's programme brings these themes together by linking personal wellbeing with confidence, ambition and educational achievement.
ENCOURAGING GIRLS TO PURSUE SCIENCE AND PROFESSIONAL CAREERS
During the Aba event, Kamalu encouraged students interested in becoming medical practitioners to work hard in science subjects and prepare for relevant examinations, including those administered by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.
The advice connects health awareness with long-term educational planning.
Students who aspire to study medicine or other health-related disciplines generally need a strong academic foundation, particularly in relevant science subjects. They must also meet the admission requirements established for their chosen programmes.
However, students should verify current examination requirements and admission criteria through official examination bodies and the institutions to which they intend to apply.
Early exposure to healthcare professionals can help students understand the range of careers available in medicine and related fields.
Healthcare includes many professions beyond doctors, including nursing, pharmacy, medical laboratory science, physiotherapy, public health and other specialised areas.
Introducing students to these possibilities can encourage them to explore their interests and make informed decisions about their education.
Career guidance is most effective when it combines encouragement with practical information about subjects, qualifications, training pathways and professional responsibilities.
For students who have not yet decided on a career, the message is equally relevant: developing strong study habits and taking science education seriously can preserve a range of future options.
The foundation's focus on confidence and ambition therefore complements its health education objectives.
THE ROLE OF SCHOOLS, PARENTS AND COMMUNITIES
School-based programmes can provide an important starting point for health education, but the lessons are more likely to have a lasting effect when students receive consistent support beyond the classroom.
Teachers can reinforce accurate information through appropriate lessons and by directing students to reliable resources.
Parents and guardians can help by creating an environment in which children feel able to discuss health concerns and ask questions without unnecessary embarrassment.
Healthcare professionals can provide further guidance when students require medical information or individual assessment.
Community organisations can also help raise awareness about available services and encourage families to seek assistance when appropriate.
At the same time, organisers should recognise that students come from different family and economic circumstances. Health education should therefore avoid assumptions about what every household can afford or what resources are available in each community.
Practical advice should be accessible and should explain alternatives when recommended products or services are not readily available.
Schools also need to consider how to accommodate students with disabilities or other needs that may affect their participation in educational activities.
An inclusive approach can help ensure that health information reaches students who might otherwise be excluded.
The foundation's plan to reach schools in both Abia and Enugu states provides an opportunity to extend the programme beyond its initial location.
The planned sessions on October 12 will be an important next step in delivering the initiative to additional students.
MEASURING THE IMPACT OF THE PROGRAMME
The foundation has identified 600 students as the target population for the outreach across the two states.
The immediate activities include health talks, practical hygiene education, question-and-answer sessions and the distribution of hygiene kits.
To understand the programme's longer-term value, organisers could also assess whether students understand the lessons and know where to seek help after the sessions.
Feedback from students and teachers could identify subjects that require additional explanation or follow-up.
School administrators could help determine whether further health education sessions would be useful and whether students need better information about available support services.
Any evaluation should protect students' privacy and avoid collecting unnecessary sensitive information.
It should also distinguish between participation in an event and evidence of lasting improvement. Attendance figures can show how many students were reached, but they cannot alone establish whether knowledge or behaviour changed.
Follow-up activities, appropriate learning assessments and feedback from participating schools could provide a clearer picture of the initiative's effects.
The available report does not provide a completed evaluation of the programme, so its long-term impact cannot yet be established.
Nevertheless, the initiative creates an opportunity to assess how school-based health education can be delivered in ways that are practical, accessible and responsive to students' needs.
CONCLUSION
The Quantus Medical Foundation has launched a health education outreach programme targeting 600 schoolgirls in Abia and Enugu states, using practical lessons to promote personal hygiene, health awareness, confidence and personal safety.
The initiative began at Abayi Girls Secondary School in Aba on October 9, with further activities scheduled at two schools in Umuahia and Enugu on October 12.
Medical professionals involved in the programme encouraged students to take care of their health, reject harmful social pressures, seek assistance when necessary and pursue their educational ambitions.
The initiative also highlights the importance of connecting school-based health education with access to appropriate healthcare services.
For the programme to have a lasting impact, the lessons will need to be reinforced by schools, families, healthcare professionals and community organisations.
The central message is that supporting girls requires more than providing access to classrooms. It also involves ensuring that they have reliable information, opportunities to ask questions, safe channels for seeking help and the confidence to pursue their goals.
By combining health awareness with personal development and educational encouragement, the foundation's initiative seeks to help participating students make informed choices as they prepare for adulthood.