ANNOUNCEMENT: Govt hospitals to provide free treatment to school children

Chandigarh, November 6, 2012: Madan Mohan Mittal, Health and Family Welfare Minister Punjab disclosed here today that any child suffering from any diseases would be treated free of cost the the government hospitals under the schools health programme.

The Minister further said that Punjab Government is already existing free treatment to all the students of government and government aided schools for Heart ailment, Cancer and Thallasemia   in PGI Chandigarh and super specialty hospitals including leading private hospitals.

Regular health checkups are also being carried out for all 28 lakh students studying in 19826 Government and Govt Aided schools each year with the aim of prevention and early diagnosis of any disease and ailment and to provide the best medical services to children.

Mittal informed that till date 1652 children suffering from heart diseases have been referred to PGI Chandigarh and other territory  hospitals for treatment. As many as 791 children have been operated upon at a cost of Rs. 745.82 Lakhs. 167 Children suffering from cancer have also been referred to PGI, Chandigarh and 87 Children to Mohan Dai Oswal Cancer Hospital, Ludhiana for treatment and Rs. 1,85,52,166/- has already been spent on them till July 2012. The Health Minister told that with regard to the treatment of Thallasemia, 121 cases have been referred to various Thallasemic Societies in Punjab till July 2012 and Rs.6,25,979/- has already been spent on them.

He informed that 52 tablets of Iron, Folic Acid per child per year (1 tab per week) were given in all schools for prevention of Anaemia among children. For de-worming, 2 tablets of Albendazole per child per  year are being distributed in all schools at the interval of 6 months.        Teachers are  trained  to enhance their communication skills related to promotion and prevention  of health issues. Health care
intervention is strengthened by the provision of emergency medical kits to all schools as a part of the programme. A Special programme
for Adolescents ARSH (Adolescent Reproductive Sexual Health) is  being implemented  under  NRHM and  special ARSH Clinics have been established in all district hospitals and 35 sub-divisional hospitals for  addressing  health  need  of adolescents and sensitizing them to cope with social and mental health concerns such as managing anger, depression, stress concerns of growing up, myths, fears and concerns on reproductive health care including sex education, environment safety, conflict resolution and violence prevention.

Health Education is also given to them that includes lectures on exercise and fitness, dental concerns, disease prevention, prevention of tobacco, nutrition, ill-effects of alcohol and drug use. Such issues are also addressed in field  by ANM’s and ASHAs during  Medical check up camps in schools as  well  as  at Anganwadi centres during Village  Health Nutrition Day.