Health checks-ups for 30 lakh students in Telangana government schools from July

HYDERABAD:From the next academic year, 30 lakh government school students in Telangana would undergo health checks up to know if they are suffering from any health disorder and health cards will be given to them.

While the tests are being conducted under Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), it will be made more systematic with coordination from State Education department.Telangana deputy chief minister and Education minister Kaidyam Srihari, State Health minister Dr C Laxma Reddy convened a meeting with higher officials from the two departments to discuss how to maintain and improve health of students in government school.

The Health and Family Welfare department will conduct the tests from month of July and they will conclude in six-months time. Schedules which has details about the dates on which the health tests will be
held in schools in 31 districts, will be given in advance. As per RBSK scheme, some of the health conditions which will be tested include convulsive disorders, Rheumatic Heart Disease.State curriculum to have Menstrual hygiene classes

Academic classes on menstrual hygiene and reproductive health might be made mandatory as part of State curriculum. At the meeting held on Monday, Kadiyam Srihari and Health Minister Dr C Laxma Reddy decided to hold awareness classes on health issues faced during adolescence. These classes will be held for girl students studying in seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth standard in government schools.

Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare Vakati Karuna said that the classes will be on menstrual hygiene and reproductive health. “We will prepare a training module on it. Our doctors will also hold the sessions,” Vakati Karuna said.  Women teachers from government Model Schools, Zilla Parishad High Schools, KGBVs, Gurukul Schools, would be trained in the classes.

Health kits for more 5 lakh students

The State Education department which has already distributed health kits to three lakh girl students aims to provide it to more five lakh students. The kits includes 15 products including sanitary pads, soaps, cosmetic powder, hair oil, tooth brush, paste.

Director of the Model Schools, A Satyanarayana Reddy said that they have already distributed it to students in KGBVs, Model Schools and Residential Schools and they will extend this to five lakh more students in Zilla Parishad High Schools and other government schools. Currently, nutritious food to address blood disorders among students in Model Schools, KGBVs and suggestions were sought from health department officials on how to address the disorders among students in other government schools.