This year, between July 9th-13th, 2025, the EFOTT Festival took place in Sukoró, including the “UNIverzum” section, where almost every Hungarian university represented itself. Of course, Semmelweis University was no exception.
The four-day festival went off to a rough start, with Wednesday being struck by unfavorable weather conditions, only allowing visitors to discover our stand from Day 2 onwards. But, as predicted, there was a change in fortune from that point onwards, those interested could flock to the screenings held by the Semmelweis Health Promotion Center (SEK), or test their first-aid skills in virtual reality thanks to a sponsorship by Future Meditech, all while being bathed in sunlight. They could educate themselves further, too, as after examinations, their results were evaluated immediately, followed by useful advice accordingly. What’s for certain is that everyone present got a bit of a closer look at their health, but we can also bet money on brushing your teeth now being the most effective thing you can do routinely to maintain it. Enikő Fanni Rácz, the operative coordinator of SEK, who observed the event all the way to its end, said there was a surprising number of returning visitors, although they always appreciate seeing new faces in the crowd as well.
,,It can almost be considered a tradition for the Health Promotion Center and the Students’ Union to prepare activities for the EFOTT Festival together, full of exciting elements. Despite the unfavorable weather of the first day, our team and festival-goers alike were eager to dive into our screening programmes and games. Our participation would not have been possible in this way without the screening bus of the South-Pest Central Hospital, and we’d like to express our gratitude towards the National Directorate General for Hospitals, and in particular, their Department of Public Health Organization.
The Health Promotion Center’s team of experts, with the involvement of student volunteers, offered three kinds of preventive screenings to members of the youth – and sometimes families, or other representatives – who paid us a visit: a preventive oral screening, complex cardiovascular & diabetic risk assessment, as well as professional body composition analysis and dietary guidance. The previously unparalleled amount of interest is well-demonstrated by the record number of registrants (297), for whom we performed nearly 500 screenings in total. It is an exceptional honor and joy to see returning visitors of our stand year after year, which shows that the youth are interested in, and strive towards, maintaining and improving their physical and mental health.
Lots of people delved into games as well: learning the proper technique of performing CPR via a VR experience, testing their knowledge using a quiz with the team of HÖK, and alongside many other curiosities, they could play around with the Hungarian equivalent of MyPlate called “Okostányér”, guess the amount of added sugar in certain foods and drinks, and learn the proper technique for brushing your teeth. Our challenges were also included in the festival’s official app, where we received countless creative answers to questions regarding the proper usage of sunscreen, staying hydrated, and fluid intake (besides alcohol, of course). Festival-goers had the chance to take home valuable knowledge that allows them to form a healthier lifestyle, alongside entertainment. We’d like to give a special “thank you” to the leadership of Semmelweis University for continuing to support our participation in this event, and the Department of Marketing and Communication for the materials they provided. We hope to represent our university at this festival for many, many years to come, and be able to give a true experience of well-being to all those who are interested in it.”
After being done with all of these programs, participants were given a further chance to obtain “Semmelweis Lions” merch if they took their knowledge about healthcare to the test. Members of the Students’ Union rewarded multiple correct answers with baseball caps, water bottles and scarves. It was truly uplifting to see so many festival-goers in unmistakeable blue baseball caps, it was a pleasure to see you all.
Thank you for sticking with us this year as well, and we hope that we contributed to your health. See you next year!
