On June 3, 2026, an article titled "For Children’s Health and Safety: Medical Students Challenge Health Education in Ghana" was published in Asahi Shimbun’s web media "with Planet." The article was written by our member, Ryuto Hirata.
The piece provides an in-depth report on the health education initiatives conducted by our members in February 2026, visiting schools and churches in Accra, Ghana.
Key Highlights of the Article
- Interactive Learning through Quizzes At a private junior high school, we introduced hygiene habits and the Japanese spirit of "Wa" (harmony). We used interactive quizzes to teach the importance of nutrition, sleep, and hand hygiene.
- "Education on Vaccines and "Herd Immunity" As an organization dedicated to immunization, we explained how vaccines work and the concept of "herd immunity." Students showed great interest, asking specific questions about allergy considerations and the time required for vaccines to become effective.
- Role-Playing to Prevent Teen Pregnancy and STIs At a public junior high school, we addressed the local challenge of teenage pregnancy. Through role-playing exercises, students learned the importance of communication with partners and making autonomous decisions about their futures.
- Handwashing Lessons for Early Childhood At a local church’s Sunday school, we conducted handwashing drills for young children using songs. We also donated "Otete Pon" stamps, which help children visually learn the appropriate duration for effective handwashing.
Message from the Author (Ryuto Hirata)
Through our activities in Ghana, I was surprised to find that not many students were aware of the "Zero-Dose Children" (unvaccinated children) issue within their own country. I also realized there is a lack of a standardized health education curriculum in the local school system.
Rather than providing one-off support, NGO Reaching Zero-Dose Children is committed to finding ways to integrate health education into the local system sustainably, leveraging the expertise we have gained in Japan.
▼ Read the full article here (Japanese only):
https://www.asahi.com/withplanet/article/16607092
Thank you for your continued support of our mission to provide every child with necessary primary health care.
