Igbinedion University Medical Students’ Association (IUMSA) recently hosted a Health Week Symposium with a focus on “Strategies for Improving Circadian Health in Students”. The event which was held at the University’s main library conference hall brought together distinguished guests, faculty members, and students to discuss the importance of sleep hygiene and its impact on overall health.
Dr Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, Honourable Commissioner for Health, Edo State, delivered a keynote address emphasising the need for students to prioritise their circadian health. He highlighted that the years spent in university are crucial for building a strong foundation for future success and that neglecting sleep hygiene can have long-term consequences.
Dr Oshiomhole outlined seven practical strategies for improving circadian health, including maintaining a consistent sleep-wake schedule, getting natural light exposure during the day, limiting screen time at night, creating a sleep-conducive environment, avoiding late-night meals and caffeine, practising mindfulness and stress management, and using technology wisely.
The commissioner emphasised that institutions and government must also play a role in promoting healthy circadian rhythms. He announced plans to introduce mental health education and stress management programmes in tertiary institutions, as well as reviewing academic policies to consider students’ biological well-being.
In her opening remarks, the Dean of the School of Clinical Medicine, Igbinedion University, Dr Mrs Imesidayo O. Eboreime-Oikeh, humorously acknowledged the challenges faced by medical students in maintaining a healthy sleep schedule. She encouraged students to rethink their lifestyle habits and prioritise their own health, emphasising that “health isn’t just for patients; it’s for practitioners too.”
The symposium concluded with a call to action, urging students to take their circadian health seriously and make conscious efforts to improve their sleep hygiene. As the event came to a close, attendees were left with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of the importance of prioritising their overall well-being.
The IUMSA Health Week was a vibrant celebration of wellness, featuring a range of activities, including a symposium, rally, outreach programme, trade fair, and quiz. The event aimed to promote health awareness and provide students with practical tools to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
