By Asenath Were
Dr. Edward Mukooza, head of the department of public health and chair of the health and safety committee at Uganda Christian University (UCU), is organizing a webinar with the parents of students at the university.
The Webner is aimed at addressing matters pertaining to the topics in relation to the health awareness week that started on Sunday, July 10-20, 2022, under the theme, “mental wellness”.
Some students have expressed the lack of parental attention at home. Therefore, the health and safety committee wants to have a conversation with parents, listen to them, and encourage them to make time for their children because if they do not, the wrong people will.
“The children want to be in the presence of their parents. They want to be guided. They have questions. If they have questions for their parents and they are not available, they will ask the wrong people,” Mukooza said.
Since the health week revolved around sexuality, substance use, and technology use by students, he compared the students to a “brand new car.” Where he said that a brand-new car without brakes will lead to a disaster, in the same way, a youth without self-control will end up in very challenging circumstances.
“You are like a brand new car. You are young, energetic, and all your hormones are functioning. Well, a brand new car without brakes will lead to disaster. If you have a youth without self-control, that youth is going to end up in very challenging circumstances, “added Mukooza.
According to Mukooza, the health awareness week is intended to devote time in a block of one week to providing health-related information, particularly to students, to enable them to make informed decisions about their lifestyle and their health in general.
Many students face difficulties while in college, whether it is a family situation, a heartbreak, or something else that causes them to become disorganized and affect their academic performance.
Therefore, health awareness week is here to help curb all the students’ mental problems that they may encounter during their journey at UCU. It also creates awareness that they can actually be helped in tough times.
“Most people aren’t aware that we have a counselling department and the services are actually free. When they find out, they are like, oh, do we have to pay for them? No, you do not have to pay for it, because it’s free of charge. ” Said Nakibombo.
Richard Mwage, who works with Lapaire optician in Mukono town, said that the health awareness week has been a good experience because the students have been very supportive and turned up in big numbers.
“The experience has been good because students are coming in large numbers and we are providing them with optical services. As we had said, everything is for free, that is, free eye tests and glasses after being tested and finding that you are in need of them according to the effect.” Mwage said.
Teopista Aromorach, a fourth-year nursing student, said that the health awareness initiative is a good thing because it boosts people’s confidence since people were freely testing for HIV status.
“I was always scared to donate blood, but now that I have done it and know that I am eligible to do so, I am going to continue donating.” said Aromorach.
A number of students are glad to receive such medical services during health awareness.
“The services provided during the health awareness week are expensive outside the university.” Therefore, this is a very great campaign. The service providers are approachable and the counselling services are just what we needed,” Said Nimaro Chrystal a second-year student pursuing bachelor of Science in Information Technology.
