PHCC concludes 2026-27 ‘Back-to-School’ campaign

The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) School Health Programme & Services Department has concluded its annual Back-to-School Campaign for the 2026-27 academic year. The initiative, running from August 30 to September 10, focused on the theme "Healthy Bodies Build Strong Nations." The campaign successfully reached 94.9% of targeted government schools, engaging 299 institutions.

A total of 1,811 campaign activities and interventions were documented, resulting in significant audience engagement. The campaign generated 926,708 engagements, consisting of 496,536 student interactions, 365,644 parent interactions, and 64,528 school staff engagements. Student participation in campaign activities exceeded expectations, with a 77.47% participation rate, surpassing the 70% target by 7.47% points.

This indicates a strong level of student engagement and the success of schools and health teams in translating health messages into meaningful participation. The campaign went beyond traditional health awareness, emphasizing the importance of healthy behaviors, their practical application, and long-term maintenance. It addressed various aspects of health, including digital-device use, sleep, hydration, nutrition, physical activity, and emotional regulation.

Through tracking and self-assessment tools, the campaign aimed to empower students to take personal responsibility for their health by monitoring daily habits, identifying areas for improvement, and assessing progress. The campaign also featured a student competition, providing an additional platform for students to showcase their understanding of healthy behaviors through innovative entries.

Winning schools would receive recognition shields, while individual winners would receive certificates and symbolic gifts. Dr Layla Abdullah al-Dahnaim, manager of the School Health Programme & Services Department, highlighted the campaign's success, stating that the high school coverage, audience engagement, and student participation rates reflect the strength of the partnership among students, families, schools, and health teams.

She emphasized that the campaign's vision of building healthy, aware, and responsible generations is crucial for fostering a strong and prosperous nation.