Students from Wella Secondary School, Msalato Secondary School, and Jamhuri High School took part in a visit to the Ministry of Health’s exhibition pavilion at the ongoing NaneNane Agricultural Show in Dodoma’s Nzuguni grounds.
The engagement provided a vital platform for the youth to deepen their understanding of critical health issues and to voice their aspirations for the country’s future.
During the visit, the students highlighted the urgent need for the integration of health education into the school curriculum.
Saviola Gabriel, a student from Wella Secondary School, underscored the importance of early awareness on diseases such as tuberculosis (TB), HIV/AIDS, and nutrition.
She noted that equipping young people with this knowledge would empower them to safeguard their health and serve as health ambassadors within their communities.
“Early health education in schools will enable us to protect ourselves from preventable diseases and become advocates for healthy living in our families and neighborhoods,” said Saviola.
Echoing this sentiment, Daniel Mnyinga from Jamhuri High School emphasized the necessity of teaching about liver diseases, reproductive health, and malaria.
He asserted that such knowledge is critical not only for self-protection but also for contributing positively to public health.
“These skills will help us respond swiftly and effectively to health challenges when they arise,” Daniel noted.
From Msalato Secondary School, student Faudhia Hamis stressed the importance of recognizing youth as the nation’s future.
“Without good health, we cannot realize our dreams. We urge that health education be incorporated as a compulsory subject in schools,” she remarked.
Faudhia further emphasized that health forms the foundation for achieving life goals, and integrating it into the curriculum will nurture a generation that is conscious of health preservation.
The students collectively called on policymakers to ensure that health education becomes an essential part of the school syllabus, empowering young people with the knowledge and skills to protect themselves and contribute to national development through improved health outcomes.
At the exhibition, Ministry of Health representatives, including Atley Kuni from the Communications Unit and Ms. Ester Ntulo, an officer specializing in HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Control, cautioned students against engaging in risky sexual behavior.
They encouraged the youth to prioritize their education and health as key steps toward fulfilling their dreams.