Hi Hivians
My name is Flawless-dee, and I'll be sharing my experience today with y'all. It was a beautiful day in this part of the world, yes, that's because my department went on an excursion to all health centers within Uyo metropolis, and we were divided into groups.
So today was not our regular school day. My group visited the Primary Health Care Center at Ikot Ebido, Ikot Oku, and honestly, it was one of the most eye-opening experiences I’ve had.
The health workers welcomed us with warm smiles, and soon we were seated and ready to learn. They spoke to us like they truly cared, and everything they said just made sense, even the complicated health stuff was explained in a way we could all understand. We covered some really important topics: lactation, maternal nutrition, hygiene, and sex education. And trust me, it wasn’t boring at all.
First, we learned about lactation: that’s the process of producing breast milk to feed a baby. I used to think breastfeeding was just something mothers naturally did, but it’s way more than that. We were told that breast milk is like a “first vaccine” for babies. It’s packed with nutrients and helps build the baby’s immune system. We also learned that it creates a strong bond between the mother and child, which is super important.
Then came maternal nutrition: This is all about how mothers need to eat healthy food before, during, and after pregnancy. I didn’t know that what a pregnant woman eats can affect her baby’s development. The nurses told us that foods rich in iron, protein, and vitamins help the baby grow strong and healthy. Junk food? That’s a big NO! It made me realize how important food is, not just for energy but for life itself.
Next was hygiene: This might sound like a regular topic, but today I saw it in a new light. Good hygiene means keeping our bodies and surroundings clean to avoid sickness. Washing hands, keeping nails short, and using clean water can stop diseases from spreading. They even showed us how to wash our hands properly, not just quickly rinsing with water but scrubbing, especially after using the toilet or before eating. And stressed the importance of this for everyone, especially breastfeeding moms, because of the baby.
Lastly, we talked about sex education: At first, everyone was shy, but the health workers made us feel comfortable. They explained the importance of understanding our bodies, the changes we go through during puberty, and how to make smart, respectful choices. It wasn’t about scaring us — it was about teaching us to protect ourselves and others. They stressed the importance of communication, which is the first stage of the sex approach, then foreplay, and then the main activity.
In the end, I left the health center feeling smarter and more responsible. I realized that health isn’t just for doctors to worry about, it starts with us. Taking care of ourselves, understanding our bodies, and making the right choices can help us live better lives because HEALTH IS WEALTH.
This excursion wasn’t just educational, it was empowering. I wish everyone could experience what we did today.