It is a thing of great joy for us at Bethesda Home & School for the Blind that out students achieved the incredible feat of securing third place in the Music4Health Mega Designathon competition held at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, on the 6th of April, 2014. This achievement, among other things, showcases our students' resolve not to let blindness limit their abilities, also attesting to their dedication to being contributing members of society by raising awareness about critical health issues such as hypertension and stroke through the power of music.
The Music4Health Mega Designathon, which held in Lagos at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), brought together 140 innovative youths from across Nigeria. This event was a collaborative effort involving researchers from NIMR, Washington State University, and the University of North Carolina, with significant support from the Lagos State Government. The primary aim was to develop creative, research-based solutions for some of Nigeria's most pressing public health challenges.
During the four-day event, participants worked on projects addressing the uptake of vaccination, early screening for cervical cancer, HPV-related cancers, hepatitis B, and other public health concerns. Our students from Bethesda Home & School for the Blind stood out in the Music4Health category, where they used their musical talents to create a powerful song that raises awareness about hypertension and stroke.
Our students’ entry song was titled “Check Am”, and it spoke a lot to encouraging preventive health practices for illnesses like hypertension, stroke, and other related ailments that can be prevented by monitoring our vitals, and modifying one’s lifestyle as necessary. This resonated well with the audience and judges alike, earning them a well-deserved third place among tough competition. The recognition from esteemed bodies such as the NIMR, Washington State University, the University of North Carolina, and the Lagos State government further suggest that their performance was not only a display of artistic skill but also a testament to their awareness of pertinent issues relevant to human and societal development.
Four us as an institution, this is a significant step forward in our mission to empower visually impaired individuals and integrate them into the broader societal framework through education, skill acquisition, and community engagement. By participating in the Music4Health Mega Designathon, our students have demonstrated that they can overcome other challenges they might be faced with in their path pursuing their educational and career aspirations.
Prof. Babatunde Salako, Director General of NIMR, commended all participants for their dedication and creativity. He emphasized the importance of homegrown solutions in addressing public health issues and congratulated the 140 participants selected from over 1,000 applicants. He encouraged them to continue developing their ideas to improve Nigeria’s health landscape. The event's organizers and supporters, including the Lagos State government and international institutions, recognized the significance of the innovative approaches presented. They highlighted the critical role of community-driven initiatives in promoting health education and prevention.
Looking ahead, we seek to engage our students and beneficiaries in more societal development initiatives as this, to raise awareness to the general public to the reality that visually impaired individuals, and indeed people living with other disabilities too are members of society with great aspirations like them, and with good education and training they can realize their potentials.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our collaborators, supporters, and the organizing bodies of the Designathon for providing this platform. Your unwavering support helps us continue our mission of care, education, and empowerment. We invite the public, our collaborators, and potential partners to join us in our journey. By supporting Bethesda Home & School for the Blind, you contribute to a brighter future for visually impaired individuals, helping them realize their potential and make meaningful contributions to society.