In management of COVID-19 pandemic in schools in Agbor and environs, the Nigeria Medical Association, Agbor Zone in collaboration with the member representing in Ika South LGA at the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Festus Chukwuyem Okoh’s Foundation held a one day school health programme.
The programme which took place at the College of Education Agbor old site main hall on Wednesday, November 11, 2020 has the theme, “Strategies for the Containment of COVID-19 among Basic Education Students in Nigeria”. Delegates of school present at the programme include Ogbemudein Secondary School, Dein Secondary School, Ime-Obi Secondary School, Ika Grammar School, Kingdom Heritage Model School, Calvary Group of Schools, Prime Group of Schools, Alasi Primary School, CIE, Ika North East, Rock of Ages Group of Schools and Staff Model Secondary.
Speaking on the programme theme, the first resource person and Head of Department Integrated Science Department, College of Education, Agbor, Dr. Mrs. Ifeanyi Oyem harps on the origin of COVID-19 pandemic, symptoms, spread and its preventives.According to her, “The wide spread deadly COVID-19 disease originated from China and it symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. In more cases, infection can cause pneumonia or breathing difficulties. More rarely, the disease can be fatal. These symptoms are similar to flu (influenza) or the common cold, which are a lot more common than COVID-19.
Hence, it’s paramount that someone having the COVID-19 symptoms to undergo testing for confirmation and immediate treatment.
COVID-19 can be transmitted through direct contact with respiratory droplets of an affected person (generated through coughing and sneezing). Individuals can also be infected from and touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and touching their face (e.g eyes, nose, mouth). The COVID-19 virus may survive for several hours, but simple use of disinfectant can kill it.
The virus affects everyone but older people and people with chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease appear to be more at risk of developing severe symptoms.
Dr. Oyem stated that the spread of COVID-19 can be slowed down or prevented by adhering strictly the public health measures of staying home when sick, covering mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing and disposes of use tissue immediately. Washing of hands often with soap and water and cleaning frequently touched surfaces and objects, avoiding over crowded places, shaking of hands, use hand sanitizers and face mask.
She admonished the students to be good ambassadors of the programme by sharing the lessons they learnt with their fellow students when they return to their schools, saying that by so doing that the spread of COVID-19 can be managed in schools and maintain good health condition.The second resource person and Vice Chairman NMA, Agbor Zone cum the programme planning chairperson, Dr. Ewere Iwegbu reminded the students the need to maintain daily common tips for personal hygiene to remain healthy which include toilet, shower, nail, teeth, sickness and hand washing hygiene’s.
While third resource person and Chairman NMA, Agbor zone, Dr. Philemon Okolie spoke on the topic, “Lets Unite for Oral Health”, exposing the students to oral health education to helps develop desirable dental health attitude and habits.
The representative of Hon. Okoh at the programme and Peoples Democratic Party Youth Leader in Ika South LGA, Hon. Edwin Okoh in his speech said COVID-19 pandemic has good and bad sides effect on the people, while thanking the schools representatives for coming. He said the programme is very rich and thanked the organizers (NMA, Agbor zone) and his principal, Hon. Okoh, who according to him is legislator per excellence.
Mr. Iwegbu Chuks Justus, who incidentally is the sitting Head of Department of Social Studies Education, College of Education, Agbor eulogized Hon. Okoh (aka Chukky dandy) who is the President of Chukky Dandy Foundation for committing his time and finance that saw the success of the Nigeria Medical Association, Agbor Zone’s School Health Talk.
Speaking further, Iwegbu thanked the Provost of College of Education, Agbor, Dr J.O Ukadike for his express approval without any protocol knowing the impact the Health Program will have on the Students, Staff of the College and the College Community at large. While thanking the NMA, Agbor zone for this laudable and timely program considering the times we are in now occasioned by the Covid-19 Pandemic, Iwegbu asserted strongly that education, sensitization, awareness and enlightenment campaign on all Environmental and Public Health management issues remain the best way for the prevention of sickness and diseases in the World.
He enjoined NMA members all over Nigeria, Africa and the entire world to take health education and awareness campaigns seriously particularly in this times of deadly outbreak of Yellow Fever in Villages around Ika Land. He advised NMA to always see treatment of patients as the final thing to employ in disease management chains. He thanked Dr Okolie, Dr. (Mrs) Iwegbu, and members of N.M.A present, Dr (Mrs) Idiaghe J.E, the Director of Sandwich Program College of education Agbor,
He further poured encomium on Dr. Oyem who is an Environmental and Public Health Microbiologist for not just attending the program as the keynote speaker but for electrifying the entire program with her magical presentation. Mr. Iwegbu equally thanked the L.O.C. members; Mrs. Augustina Ogwun, Mrs. Stephanie Ogosi and Mr Frank Egajuvwie for their time and energy expended before and during the entire program.
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Source: Ika News Agbor
Ika News: NMA, Agbor Zone, Festus Okoh Foundation Hold One Day School Health Talk
