Kerala launches comprehensive school health programme

Launching Aksharam Arogyam, the comprehensive school health programme, here on Friday, Health Minister Veena George said that the initiative will earn a place in the history of the State’s health sector.

A collaborative project of the Health and General Education departments, Aksharam Arogyam will screen children for various health parameters, create comprehensive health documents of every child in a school, and issue them health cards which may be converted later to electronic medical records.

This is also an initiative wherein schools will take an active lead in promoting health awareness and healthy lifestyle habits among children through dedicated training programmes, so that children pick up good eating and living habits in school and take these back to their families and the community.

The initiative thus envisages children becoming health ambassadors for the society.

All schools that join the initiative will conduct health assemblies and set up health corners to encourage healthy lifestyles and discourage unhealthy habits.

In each school, a designated teacher will act as the health mentor. These teachers will undergo training based on modules jointly prepared by the Health and Education departments. They will provide structured health education to students at regular intervals, covering 11 themes across four key domains.

Ms. George also launched a 24-hour toll-free number, 104, through which parents can know all about the free health initiatives available for children in the State as well as clear any doubts they may have about children’s health requirements, such as immunisation schedule. She reminded children that going forward in life, good health was the basis of all their dreams.

Govt.’s commitment

General Education Minister V. Sivankutty said that the project was a proof that the government was committed to maintaining academic excellence as well as the physical and mental well-being of children.

The health cards to be issued to students after health screening was released on the occasion.

A souvenir titled “Butterflies That Flew Above the Sky”, marking the successful completion of 10 years of District Early Intervention Centres, which focuses on the early detection and management of developmental delays in children, was presented by Mr. Sivankutty to the Health Minister.

Senior Health and General Education department officials were present at the function.