Mumbai: Soon, annual health check-ups will be mandatory for students from all govt, govt-aided, municipal and zilla parishad schools. Health cards will be created for all students and details from every health check-up will be uploaded in an online app developed by the public health department. If students require further medical treatment after the health check-up, all necessary advanced medical treatments, surgeries will be provided free of cost.
The govt issued a resolution on Tuesday announcing the implementation of the National Child Health Programme in the state through the public health department. The programme was launched nationally to improve survival, development and quality of life of children in the age group of 0 to 18 years through early detection of diseases, deficiencies or disabilities. During a meeting held in the state to discuss the implementation of the programme, the state’s public health department was instructed to develop an online app to create health cards for all students. The health cards will have up-to-date information on all students.

Schools have been asked to inform parents to be present during the health check-up. They will also have to ensure that health examinations are conducted using safe and updated technology by the medical team under the national programme. After the health check-ups, principals have been asked to maintain records of any ailments and treatments, and once a tracking system is made available, schools will also have to keep online records. Principals should also ensure 100% attendance during these health examinations and if any students need further treatment at the taluka or district level hospital, arrangements should be made.
As per the national programme, screening teams established at the taluka level, consisting of two medical officers, a pharmacist, and a nurse, will be visiting Anganwadi centres and schools to examine the children.
To implement the student health check-up programme more effectively, committees formed at district levels will be preparing a year-round schedule for health examinations across all talukas. If students require further medical treatment after the check-up, necessary planning should be done and regular reviews will have to be conducted.