Lucknow: In a powerful initiative aimed at empowering young minds with essential health knowledge, the Lucknow Academy of Paediatrics and Lucknow AHA, under the aegis of UP AHA, organised a mega event as part of the IAP – AHA WAVE 18 Yuva Mpower program. Held on the 18th of April at Dayanand Kanya Inter College, Lucknow, the program witnessed enthusiastic participation from 200 students across classes 9 to 12. The event was conducted in association with Inner Wheel Lucknow Baradari, with the active presence of its President Dr. Meetul Rastogi and Vice President Deepa Singhal.
The school’s Principal and a team of teachers warmly welcomed the guests and ensured active engagement from the student community. The event was designed to raise awareness about key adolescent health issues, with a strong focus on preventive care and lifestyle modifications.
Combatting Anemia with Awareness and Nutrition
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Shalini Bhasin, President of the Lucknow Academy of Paediatrics and Advisor, UP AHA, educated students about Anemia, its symptoms, adverse health effects, and the steps for its prevention and management. She highlighted the importance of India’s Anemia Mukt Bharat program and urged students to adopt healthier food choices to maintain adequate hemoglobin levels. She especially stressed the need to avoid junk food and embrace iron-rich diets. An engaging interactive session helped students understand the significance of nutrition in a relatable manner. As a follow-up to the awareness session, a Hemoglobin assessment program has been planned for the school in the coming weeks.
Menstrual Hygiene & Vaccination Awareness
Addressing a vital aspect of adolescent health, Dr. Anjoo Agarwal, Head of the Department of Gynaecology at KGMU, sensitised the students to the importance of menstrual hygiene and educated them about the HPV vaccine as a preventive tool against cervical cancer. Her talk was met with curiosity and appreciation, with students participating actively in the discussion.
Lifestyle Choices and Mental Wellness
Health expert Dr. Mona Asnani spoke on the pillars of a healthy lifestyle—balanced nutrition, adequate sleep, regular physical activity, and mental wellness. She stressed the importance of avoiding stress and substance abuse, especially in the formative teenage years. Her talk resonated deeply with the students, opening up important conversations around emotional well-being.
Interactive Sessions and Competitions
To encourage engagement and learning through fun, a health quiz was conducted for students, with prizes distributed to top performers. Additionally, a poster-making competition on HPV awareness had been announced earlier, and the school campus was adorned with vibrant and informative student posters. Ananya was declared the winner for her outstanding poster.
A Promising Start for Future Engagements
The school Principal, deeply appreciative of the initiative, requested that similar sessions be conducted for junior classes as well. The event concluded on a high note, with students, teachers, and guests echoing the sentiment that awareness, when planted young, grows into lifelong healthy habits.
This successful edition of the Yuva Mpower program not only created a memorable learning experience but also served as a meaningful step toward building a health-conscious generation of empowered youth.
