19 August 2008
Pune, India
By Sarang Dastane
District guardian minister Ajit Pawar flags-off the health drive on August 15
In an attempt to spread health awareness in rural schools, the district administration launched a ‘school health check–up’ drive on August 15 which it intends to wrap up within a month.The drive was flagged of by district guardian minister Ajit Pawar. More than 5,430 primary and secondary schools at the district level will benefit from the programme and over 7,21,000 children will be examined under this drive, said Zilla Parishad CEO Shyam Vardhane In addition, all schools will receive medical kits at the time of the check–up. A separate medical team for each taluka has also been set up to complete the health drive within the stipulated time period, he added.
“The drive is being implemented under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) – a central government scheme for early detection of diseases and physical disabilities in students of primary and secondary schools. It also aims at spreading awareness about precautionary health measures,” said Vardhane.
He added, “The visiting medical teams comprise both men and lady doctors to examine the children, accompanied by nurses and medicine manufacturers. Health charts will be prepared by the team and the drive also consists of different kinds of necessary tests, like blood tests to detect anaemia.”
Vardhane said it had been noticed that problems pertaining to eyes, ears and skin were often get neglected by school children. The drive aimed at detecting such problems which were usually ignored.
He said in cases of minor diseases, remedies would be executed on the spot, while major problems or serious disorders would be referred to the district hospitals immediately. “Students and teachers will be made aware about the importance of ideal health practices and cleanliness activities.”
In 5,430 schools to be visited & Over 7,21,000 children to be examined & Dedicated medical teams for each district & Schools to get medical kit & Complex cases to be referred to district hospitals.
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