Worried by the rising cases of cardiovascular diseases among children and youths, Nigerian Healthtech Company- MedTech Africa has launched a Cardiovascular Wellness Curriculum Development programme, which will promote cardiovascular health and healthy habits in primary and secondary schools.
The goal is to enhance health education and develop a comprehensive health education curriculum covering key topics such as nutrition, hygiene practices, cardiovascular health, and lifestyle management, encourage regular physical activities among school children by integrating exercise and sports into the school schedule, as well as establish a system for early detection of cardiovascular/metabolic complications such as malnutrition diseases, hypertension, high cholesterol level, among others.
The project inaugurated in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in collaboration with MedTech Africa will also be carried out in Oyo, and Lagos, and focused on screenings, education, and partnerships, as well as targeted at students between the ages of five to 17 years, who have parental consent.
According to the promoters, children from five years and those above 17 years without approved parental consent will be excluded, while those who are overweight or hypertensive will have their blood samples taken and analysed for Diabetes and High Cholesterol levels with consent from their parents.
Speaking at the launch of the project in Army Day Secondary School, Maitama, Abuja, the Chief Medical Advisor and Consultant Cardiologist for MedTech Africa, Dr Life Ajemba, said the teaching and practice of cardiovascular wellness in the schools will help to detect early, treat and prevent the consequences of cardiovascular disease among the children and youths in primary and secondary schools.
He observed that MedTech Africa is working in collaboration with the Federal Ministries of Health, Education, Youth & Sports, NYSC, and international scientific partners from the Department of Public Health, University of Switzerland, the Institute of Child Health, University of Ibadan and Healthtech Hub Africa to integrate #Play4Health into the school curriculum.
Ajemba said the programme, which will be carried out in 320 schools, is focused on screening and educating 120,000 students aged 5-17 years, while in the FCT, the firm intends to visit 100 schools and screen 50,000 children. He said: “We want to prevent cardiovascular disease or detect those at risk and ensure treatment for those with cardiovascular disease.”
According to him, the cardiologist will carry out the initial training of the health team who will then train the teachers in 320 schools with the aim of addressing cardiovascular health issues and promoting wellness by screening and educating 120,000 students aged 5-17 years.
He explained that the firm has already obtained administrative consent from the participating schools and the parents of the pupils, while the ethical clearance has been obtained from the Ethical clearance Committee of the Department of Health FCDA.
In her remarks, FCTA’s Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environmental Secretariat, Dr Dolapo Fasawe, said that cardiovascular health is important, even from a young age considering that the hearts are the engines of the bodies that pump blood to every cell, organ, and tissue.
She noted that the hearts need care and maintenance to function at their best, hence the need to instill healthy habits in children that will last a lifetime.
Fasawe stated that through education, activities, and support, FCTA would empower young ones to make smart choices for their heart health. She said: “Throughout this programme, we will explore the power of nutrition, the joy of physical activity, and the importance of mindfulness in nurturing strong and resilient hearts. We’ll learn about the foods that fuel our bodies, the exercises that strengthen our hearts, and the strategies to manage stress and promote overall well-being.”
