As part of their experiential learning, students from AUN’s sophomore (second-year) Public Health class visited the Nana Asma’u Maternal Referral Centre in Yola South on Friday, September 18, 2026.
Organized by AUN’s Department of Public Health, the exercise gave the students an opportunity to observe how public-health principles are applied in a working healthcare setting. Guided by Department Chair Prof. George Ani and Mr. Victory Inyang, they rotated through key service areas, including family planning, tuberculosis testing, laboratory diagnostics, antenatal care, routine immunization, and pediatric nutrition.
At the antenatal care unit, health workers demonstrated how early registration and accurate record-keeping help healthcare teams monitor pregnancies, identify high-risk cases, and provide appropriate preventive care. Students also learned about malaria prevention and routine tetanus immunization during pregnancy.
The exercise continued at the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) unit, where students observed how Unique Identification Numbers and Road to Health cards are used to track children’s vaccination histories from birth through 15 months. Health workers also explained strategies for reaching under-vaccinated children, particularly those living in rural settlements.
At the nutrition unit, students learned how Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) tape is used to screen children for acute malnutrition. Staff explained how children identified as vulnerable can be referred to Outpatient Therapeutic Programs for treatment and continued monitoring.
Together, the sessions gave the students a broader understanding of how preventive care, accurate health records, early intervention, and community outreach contribute to better health outcomes for mothers and children.
The experience also brought classroom concepts into sharper focus. Instead of encountering public-health interventions only through lectures and textbooks, the students observed the systems, procedures, and decisions involved in delivering care to real communities.
Prof. Ani said the field experience reinforces AUN’s commitment to preparing practice-ready public-health professionals who can apply their knowledge to complex health challenges across Nigeria and West Africa.
The outreach reflects AUN’s broader emphasis on experiential learning, connecting academic study with community needs and preparing students to contribute meaningfully to public health and society.
Reported by Joy Jiya Joshua