UIMSA’s 61st Health Week is coming. Generally, it holds varying degrees of importance for each of its members from the planners to the participants and active observers. The UIMSA Press decided to find out what some UIMSAites think about it, their expectations and observations so far.
What’s your perception concerning UIMSA’S health week in general?
Before I didn’t care about what happens in health week but then towards the time I crossed into UCH, I became slightly interested. Now I’m looking forward to it cos I’m participating more in UIMSA activities.
Are you in any of the health week committees?
Yes. I’m in the Sports Committee.
So far, considering also the new additions to the line up such as the hackathon, pageantry and movie night what do you think about this year’s coming health week?
I feel it’ll be a good one, publicity has been good and I feel like the executives are doing a great job. However, I feel there are many factors that would probably affect participation of UIMSAites such as the election, the fact that the many of the 2k23 students will still be at home by then, the MB Part 2 and the Muslim celebration.
Very true. I hope everyone finds a way to make it work.
Which activity/activities in the line up are you excited about or anticipating?
The IMSG Quiz and the various sporting events. Unfortunately, I might not be able to participate as much as I’d like to, due to MB 2.
Oops. Sorry about that. Can you give us your order of preference for the activities of the week?
Quiz, Sports, CHAP, Movie night, Dinner, Awards, and Pageantry, Symposium, Rally and Bonfire.
Is there any activity you participated in during past health weeks but you wouldn’t be this year and why?
None.
What do you think about UIMSA Awards? Do you think it is well represented? What do you think about the categories?
I noticed that some categories that were there last year were scrapped this year, like most beautiful and most handsome. I think it’s good that they were scrapped. I feel that awards can also be given based on research and academic achievements.
What are you expecting to see done better or what areas do you think can be improved on?
I feel the issue of punctuality to events should be addressed.
What’s your perception concerning UIMSA’s health week in general?
For me, it’s that period of a flurry of activities UIMSA puts together to mark the end of a tenure and celebrate her talents and bright minds beyond the regular “no pallor, no jaundice” we demonstrate on the wards. I’ve never really been involved in a lot of the health weeks since gaining admission especially because official school breaks are not given to allow us enjoy every bit of the program. One would have to intentionally decide to stab a class or miss clinic, which can be a dilemma for those of us who don’t want to miss out on the “stuff” taught in the clinic.
Are you in any of the health week committees?
No. I am involved in a lot of other extracurricular stuff. I run a multinational NGO. I’ve got pitch competitions and hackathons to prep for. Grant applications to write. I also co-pastor a student fellowship and have to be at par in school. Twas à lot, I considered my mental health and the stress and just knew I couldn’t add a health week committee to the lot at this time.
Power woman. That’s a lot and I completely understand. Well done.
So, considering the new additions to the week’s line up such as the hackathon, pageantry and movie night, what do you think about this year’s upcoming health week?
I’m actually very excitedly anticipating this health week. Loving the creativity and innovation that’s been plunged into the planning process already. The first ever movie night since the inception of the health week. The symposium sessions and theme of the health week just beckons “Anticipate the bomb UIMSA is about to drop!” Plus it’s my last UIMSA week as a medical undergraduate of COMUI. So, I’m ecstatic!
Which activity/activities in the line up are you excited about or anticipating? Can you give us your order of preference of the activities of the week?
Dinner, Movie Night, Symposium, CHAP, Quiz, Sports, Rally and Bonfire.
Is there any activity you participated in during past health weeks but you wouldn’t be participating in this year?
The Variety night. I think it was replaced with the movie night and that I absolutely will be a part of. Paid for my movie ticket already because I’ve been longing for a cinema experience but school and the exorbitant cost won’t let me. UIMSA is making wishes come true.
By the way what do you think about UIMSA Awards?
I don’t think it’s completely representative. There are no academic categories. It’s more social categories.
Is there anything specific that you don’t want a repeat of during this health week?
Transportation for the dinner and movie night should be booked adequately and timing adhered to. Events should begin on time.
What’s your perception concerning UIMSA’S Health Week in general?
I think the health week is one of those few events that really brings members of the association from different classes and it gives me this nostalgic feeling.
Are you in any of the Health Week committees?
Yes. CHAP, Quiz, Bonfire, Pageantry, and Symposium committee
How are you coping with being active in many committees and hope this isn’t affecting you?
Not at all, it hasn’t been too tasking and being part of the committees is something I’d love to keep doing.
What do you think about this year’s coming health week?
I’m really looking forward to it, especially the pageantry contest since we’ve not had one for quite some time. Generally, I expect this year’s event to be better and more exciting.
Can you give us your order of preference of the activities of the week?
Dinner, Awards, and Pageantry, Bonfire/Rally, Movie night, Quiz, Sports, CHAP, Symposium and the Hackathon.
Interesting! Can I conclude that the Pageantry made Dinner your most preferred since you said we’ve not had one in a while?
Not really…I think the dinner is usually the highlight of the health week so it’s my preference although the pageantry will spice it up.
What are you expecting to see done better or what areas do you think can be improved on?
Generally, I expect this year’s event to be better, with more organized games for the sporting aspect and keeping to time.
What’s your perception concerning UIMSA’S health week in general?
I feel it’s a week with a lot activities; an unusual week of fun . It’s once-in-a-session thing so I look forward to it as something fun generally. It’s also a period of chilling though not from school work but then, you have some activities and I do pray it doesn’t coincide with my MB or an examination.
Are you in any of the health week committees?
I am not in any health week committee this year because I knew I would be too busy be partake in the tasks.
Considering the new additions to the week’s line up such as the hackathon, pageantry and movie night, what do you think about this year’s coming health week?
This year, I think they are going all out; the movies, great preparation for the dinner. As it is getting closer, I think publicity can be a little more fierce so people can keep it at the back of their mind.
Which activity are you excited about? Can you give us your order of preference of the activities of the week?
My favourite activity was scrapped this year and it is the variety night. From what we have this year, in descending order; Dinner, Movie night, Quiz, Rally and Bonfire, Sport, CHAP, Symposium and the Hackathon.
Is there any activity you participated in during past health weeks but you wouldn’t be taking part in this year and why?
I am not sure about the activities I will be participating in.
What are you expecting to see done better or what areas do you think can be improved on?
I think that the dinner should be a bit spiced up with more interesting activities but pageantry has been included. I think just few activities can be added so people can really have fun at the dinner.
What’s your perception concerning UIMSA’S health week in general?
Well, the health week is quite interesting. Not as though it’s all the activities that interest me but there are some that I sure would partake in and try as much as possible to also help in my little ways. The approach of each health week teaches me that time really ticks fast.
I agree with you that time really ticks fast. Are you in any of the health committees?
Yes, I am in the awards committee.
Is there any particular reason why you chose to be in the awards committee?
Well, no reason in particular. I missed out on some other committees because I had an exam during that period. So, the awards committee came out just when I was a bit active on WhatsApp.
So far, what do you think about this year’s coming health week and can you give us your order of preference of the activities of the week?
I somehow feel indifferent. Probably because I didn’t follow it up from the beginning. However, I know it is going to be an exciting one. Judging from the preparations and videos I have been seeing. My preference goes like this: Symposium and Hackathon, Quiz, CHAP, Sports, Movie Night, Dinner, Awards and Pageantry.
Is there any activity you participated in before but you wouldn’t be this year and why?
None actually. I would have participated in sports the last time but there was none for female categories.
What are you expecting to see done better or what areas do you think can be improved on?
The general participation of UIMSAites can improve I believe. Seems many are a bit uninterested. Perhaps they can start from participating more from the beginning of the tenure that is in other activities aside the health week.
Osaretin Vanessa Ehiorobo and Victoria Elegbede
