The Thumbay Institute of Population Health at Gulf Medical University conducted a successful community engagement program at Bloomington Academy focused on promoting awareness of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among school teachers. Organized under the guidance of Dr. Jayakumary Muttappallymyalil and Ms. Sneha Reji, the initiative explored the theme: “Can teachers be the ambassadors of HPV vaccine uptake among school-going children?”
The program featured an interactive educational session by Dr. Prashanth Hegde, Consultant Gynecologist at Thumbay University Hospital, who highlighted key topics including HPV transmission, HPV-related diseases such as cervical cancer, vaccine safety and effectiveness, and the importance of early prevention strategies.
The engagement empowered teachers with evidence-based knowledge to support HPV vaccine awareness within school communities. It also provided Health Professions students with valuable real-world public health learning experiences in communication, community engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and health promotion.
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
SDG 3: Good Health and Well Being; SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
The program also aligns with the UAE Vision 2031 by promoting community health literacy, preventive healthcare practices, and collaborative public health initiatives for a healthier and more informed society.
