Experts say it may be because of less exposure to new technology and a diet with almost no junk food It may sound unbelievable but a study conducted by the UT Administrations Health department has revealed as to how those wallowing in illiteracy,poverty and ignorance,have beaten their blessed brethren in the urban areas,to better eyesight honours. According to a health survey of children studying in Alternate Innovative Education Centres (AIE),conducted by the Health department,only 3.27 per cent of those living in slum areas against 8 to 10 per cent of those coming from the urban areas were found to have refractory errors. The health examination of AIE children was done to identify and diagnose medical,dental and eye ailments, said Dr Paramjyoti,Programme Officer,School Health Programme. The survey was undertaken for commonly occurring ailments such as malnutrition,anaemia and worm infestation. Special attention was paid to children having acute medical conditions, she said. The survey was conducted with a sample size of nearly 6,852 students studying at 88 AIE centres. The teams carried out complete eye check-up of children and only 224 of them were found to have refractory errors. Thirty of them were given spectacles free of cost under the Blindness Control Programme. Of these,134 (1.81 per cent) children were found suffering from Bitots Spot and they are being treated with vitamin A supplements. Three children had cataract and two of them were operated upon. The third operation will be conducted soon, said Dr Paramjyoti. She said,It is indeed a matter of further study. I think it might be because of less exposure of slum area children to new technology. They go to school late and view less television and stay away from junk food. The report stated that children of as many as 42 AIE centres did not have any refractory errors. The number of such children was higher at GMHS at Vikasnagar (16.90 per cent). Nearly 37.89 per cent were undernourished,38.92 per cent anemic and 43.55 per cent had dental cavities. Health Services Director Dr MS Bains said,The most important finding of the survey is that NRHM campaigns and programmes,implemented by the UT Health department,have succeeded in spreading awareness among people about healthcare and availability of health services,especially in the slums. Five schools health teams,each consisting of a medical officer,dental officer,data entry operator,refractionist,and helper,along with dietician,took part in the survey. The exercise was completed in three months,December 2009 to February 2010).
