ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Girl Guides Association National Headquarters celebrated World Health Day in collaboration with the World Health Organization Pakistan, local media reported on Friday. More than 150 Guides (six to sixteen years old) participated the event. The theme of the Day was “My Health My Right”.
During the event, girls had the opportunity to experience games and enjoyable activities. The programme was organized in the form of activity stations, indoors as well as outdoors. A painting competition, in relevance to World Health Day, was arranged on the occasion. It aimed to encourage children to take responsibility for their learning, to learn positive health behaviors, and to spread that knowledge among their peers. 50 Guides participated in two categories of the painting competition. First Category was Guides aged 6-11 and the second category was of 11 to 16. Winners of both categories were awarded prizes at the end of the ceremony.
A debate competition was also arranged to promote problem-solving and innovative thinking and help girls build links between words and ideas that make concepts more meaningful. Twenty Girl Guides participated in the competition.
Health Screening Stalls regarding ears, eyes, and BMI (body mass index) were also set up during the event. Health screenings of girls helped in detecting issues regarding hearing, vision, and other common problems.
Health Awareness Stalls
Health awareness stalls were also set up to raise awareness regarding TB, Malaria, Reproductive Health, Dengue, Mental Health, and Psychosocial support.
WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr. Luo Dapeng was the Chief Guest at the event. National Commissioner of the Pakistan Girl Guides Association Maria Maud Sabri welcomed him and other guests. She briefed them about the event and informed them that the Guide program addresses common health problems, raises awareness about the significance of cleanliness, and promotes good hygiene practices which lead to good health.
She also briefed about the Guides’ work regarding the awareness and prevention of different diseases and the badge curriculums developed in collaboration with the WHO.
While addressing the Guides, Dr. Luo Dapeng appreciated the organization’s work regarding awareness raising. He also underlined the role youth can play in improving health conditions in the country. He said that more than half of the world’s population was still not fully covered by essential health services.
