State kids to get health cards

All students of government schools in the state will be issued health cards with details of their medical status from October 2. They will also undergo monthly check-ups.

“Around 90 lakh students in the 5-15 age group can benefit from this scheme funded by the National Rural Health Mission and Sarvasiksha Abhiyan,” said the secretary (health and family welfare), Dr P.V.Ramesh.

Health cards issued to the students will have information on blood group, body mass index, date and details of immunisation programmes, information on supplementary nourishment and so on.

Officials said the scheme had been undertaken keeping in view the high rate of malnutrition among children and complaints about the inadequate quality of the mid-day meal.

“A cluster level medical officer will visit the schools every six months,” said Ms Anusha Bharadwaj, social development specialist (school health) from strategic planning and monitoring unit of AP health department. “Trained paramedics from PHCs will go to the schools every month to screen the children for various ailments including congenital heart diseases, asthma, dental and eye problems.”

The students would also be immunised against diphtheria and tetanus, she added. “De-worming tablets and iron and folic acid tablets for anaemia will also be given to the affected children regularly,” said Ms Bharadwaj.

School principals will keep the health cards and would also forward them regularly to the parents.