School Health Programme to be launched

The Health and Education departments will jointly launch a comprehensive School Health Programme in the State, said Health Minister Veena George here on Tuesday.

The aim is to make children the ambassadors of health, first spreading awareness from children to families and then from families to the larger community.

The programme seeks to ensure the physical and mental well-being of every child, while promoting the holistic development of the body, mind, and intellect. Children will be issued individual health cards as part of the programme to systematically monitor and assess their health status, Ms. George, said.

She was speaking after inaugurating the State-level observance of National Deworming Day here on Tuesday. January 6 is observed as National Deworming Day. It is important to prevent worm infestation in children to ensure their healthy growth, she added.

The WHO estimates that nearly 64 % children aged between 1 and 14 years in India are at risk of worm infestation. Thus, targeted clinical interventions are necessary. 

Deworming tablets are being administered to children aged 1 to 19 years through schools and anganwadi centres. Children who were unable to take the tablets on the designated day will be given the same on January 12. The deworming tablets are to be administered to children strictly in accordance with the instructions of health workers.

Those present at the inaugural function included Director of Health Services K.J. Reena, District Education Officer Shibu Premlal, among others.