MSA Education Committee Progress Report on TRATECH 2011
TRATECH, a trade and technology fair organized by the SRC gave the Education Committee a platform to exhibit and disseminate medical knowledge to the KNUST students’ body at large. Though the MSA had not represented at this annual event for two years now, we believed that we were well equipped this year as compared to the other faculties to make this year’s participation a possibility.
TRATECH was a five day program running each day from the hours of 8am to 5pm. On each day we arrived at 9am to set up our stand. Our focus for TRATECH was based on lifestyle choices and their medical implication. The aim was to sensitize the youth on the rise of non communicable diseases and the importance of making choices which have serious adverse effects on their lives. To help achieve this aim we outlined the following:
- Checking of blood pressure, BMI and having short counseling sessions
- Education on the importance of exercise and eating right via video presentations
- Education on congenital anomalies in children via the use of anatomy pots
- The effects of smoking and alcohol on the body via the use of anatomy models and video presentations
- Education on the biology in conception through the use of anatomy models and video presentations
- We also distributed folic acid to all ladies who visited our stand. This was to sensitize them on the importance of taking folic acid before and during pregnancy which in the long run helps in preventing congenital anomalies. I do believe this input will go a long way to increase the number of healthy babies born in our country.
· On Wednesday, 9th March of the program, we added a little twist to our outline by organizing a blood donation exercise in collaboration with the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital blood collection team. The day started slowly with people coming in one after the other to donate a pint of blood. As the day progressed the number of donations increased. Out of the 60 people who came around to donate blood, 50 met the criteria. So in total 50 units of blood was collected that day. I believe we should be proud of the success of the blood donation exercise because we know this donation will go a long way to save a lot of lives.
I’d like to thank the SRC, KNUST for making TRATECH 2011 a success. My profound thanks also goes to the Education Committee members for their time, dedication and sacrifice they displayed. I attribute the success of this program to their commitment and hard work. I’d like to express my deepest appreciation to Anatomy Department of SMS for giving out their models and pots which made the education process more effective.
In conclusion, I believe our nation Ghana has a lot of upcoming, brilliant minds and this was evident by the various faculties. And for national development to occur we need to work hand in hand with our colleagues from the various faculties. This, in the long run will propel Ghana to greater heights.
Emmanuel Gyimah Amankwa
MBChB 1
Chairperson Education Committee
.JPG "Fathia Karim")
