(Women Gateway)
A specialised centre, which would work on early diagnosis for children with special needs and set up a comprehensive health care network for Bahraini students, was announced this week.
This was revealed by the Minister of Education during the second Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) school health conference, which opened at Crowne Plaza.
“ We have formed a joint committee with the Ministry of Health which would set mechanisms to set up this centre. This would boost health care services for school students and protect them from contagious disease,” Dr. Majid Al Nuaimi, Education Minister said yesterday.
Over 100 school nurses and representatives from private hospitals attended the event, which also witnessed participation from their GCC counterparts. Delegates shared their knowledge and expertise in the field of school health during the conference and will submit their recommendations. The conference is held under the theme- School Health…partnership and responsibilities” and concludes on Thursday.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Faisal Al Hamer said that school health was a priority for the ministry, which was formally introduced in Bahrain education in 1919.
“ We have detected and cured diseases through our screening and national immunisation process to provide healthy and safe environment in schools. The need for the hour is to set a strategic plan for school health which would involve teachers and parents,” Al Hamer said in his opening speech.
The Minister said they also launched the National School health Program that was in line with the 2030 economic vision of the Kingdom.
Last year, all nurses in public schools were distributed a guide which included details of vaccination campaigns to be conducted in schools and blood check ups for contagious diseases among children.
The Ministry is now working on a nationwide dental checkup and genetic screening programme for school children.