UT: School Health Scheme shows positive results

With over 50,000 children being beneficiaries of the School Health Scheme under the National Rural Health Mission during 2008-09...

With over 50,000 children being beneficiaries of the School Health Scheme under the National Rural Health Mission during 2008-09,the health standards in schools have improved considerably according to data released by the Administration.

Widening the programmes reach,a total of 58,651 students from over 60 government schools were examined under the scheme in 2008-09 as opposed to just 20,000 from 25 schools during 2005-06.

The data also reports the changes in the health pattern of students over the years. As part of the scheme,health cards are also being maintained in schools.

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As many as 61.6 per cent of the students examined in 2005-06 were found to be malnourished,32 per cent were reportedly anaemic and 40.4 per cent suffered from dental problems. The figures last year,showed a relatively positive picture as the percentage of malnourished students reduced to 45 per cent,anaemia cases to 22.8 per cent,while around 35.6 per cent complained of dental problems.

Elaborating on the scheme,Medical Officer and in-charge of the School Health Mission,Dr Paramjyoti,said the Administration has constructed a clinic in Sector 19 which runs an OPD for school students.

Director Health Services Dr Manjit Singh Bains said the scheme will be further extended to four Kendriya Vidyalyas in the city.

Dr Paramjyoti added that the clinic has also started giving diet counselling to parents,teachers and students to create awareness on lifestyle diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.

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