AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
The University of Ibadan Health Service has organised a workshop for commercial food vendors in partnership with the Ministry of Health in Oyo State.
The one-day training was declared open by Prof. Aderonke Baiyeroju, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, UI on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale.
Baiyeroju said the University Management appreciates the value of good health and staff wellbeing. That, the DVC said, was the reason why needed support was given to the UHS to organise the workshop.
According to the Director of UHS, Dr. Aderonke Ajav, the aim of the workshop is to begin an institutional journey to increasing the health of members of the University community by supporting one another to better recognize and intentionally shun bad practices.
Recalling that the training which was organised for food vendors a few years ago was not sustained, Ajav said the expected outcome of this training is that food vendors would be in a better position to cater for and satisfy different categories of food needs, including those of the minority groups.
She also said the programme would make UI the hub for training of food vendors and empower the society at large to correctly and adequately address current and emerging issues in food safety and hygiene.
Participants at the workshop included commercial food vendors/handlers on campus, health commissioners of the various halls of residence, faculty presidents of students associations, Hall Wardens, Wellness Officers, representatives of religious bodies and staff unions, members of the Abadina community, organic farmers, and the team from the Schools Health Unit, Ministry of Health, Oyo State.
Talks delivered on the occasion included Necessity of Healthy Eating and Consequences of Unhealthy Eating Habits by Nutritionist/Registered Dietitian/Chief Nursing Officer, Bosede O. Adebayo-Oke; Right Use of Fruits and Vegetables by Nutritionist Morenike Okeya.
Others are Availability and Advantages of Organic Products by Prof. O. O. Adeoluwa, an expert in organic production and utilisation; Food Biosecurity and Biosafety by Dr A. O. Ogunleye, Department of Veterinary Microbiology; and Training and Health Check for Food Vendors by Mrs Folasade Oladele, Head of School Health Unit, Oyo State Ministry of Health.
Health checks were conducted for participants, and questions and answers were welcome from participants. Recommendations and sanctions were raised for non-compliance, and certificates were presented to all the registered participants.
