Quiz shows promote healthy habits among Mindanao youth

Posted at 2:51 pm March 16, 2011

Tags: Family Health Concerns, Physical Wellness

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By Marjorie Gorospe

QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA— The Department of Health (DoH) and the European Union (EU) are holding quiz shows in Mindanao to promote healthy habits among the youth.

This initiative aims to raise awareness and help improve health conditions in different areas in Mindanao. It is ongoing in Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Davao Oriental.

These provinces are among those covered by EU’s Mindanao Health Sector Policy Support Program. Overall, the program covers 14 Mindanao provinces, including the Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which has the highest incidence of poverty in the country.

The Mindanao program is an extension of the Health Sector Policy Support Program(HSPSP) that was launched by EU in 16 provinces all over the country.

Topics covered by these quiz shows include maternal, neonatal and child health and nutrition; prevention of the most common diseases, and programs under the DoH.

Aside from increasing health awareness, the quiz shows aim to encourage health-seeking practices, such as disease prevention habits, maternal and child care, availability of public health services, sanitation, nutrition, fitness and the avoidance of vices in the poor communities.

Third year high school students from different schools in different municipalities are taking part in the quiz show. Eventually, winners per province will carry the title “Youth Health Champion”.

Winners will each receive a laptop complete with mobile broadband kit while runners-up will get likewise netbooks and MP3 players.

(Photo courtesy of European Union)