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30,625 Pupils Benefit as LASG Flags-Off 2008 School Health Programme

Vanguard
Chioma Obinna
29 January 2008

For every society, nutritional assessment in the community is essential for accurate planning and implementation of intervention programmes to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with under-nutrition particularly in a country like Nigeria where health indices have been described as poor.

Studies have shown that the nutritional status of children attending urban and rural public primary schools in Nigeria is poor. Currently, malnutrition (underweight, wasting and stunting) constitute major health problems among school children in Nigeria. This is particularly so in the rural areas. To check this trend, critical observers have suggested that prevention of malnutrition should be given a high priority by governments at all levels in these communities.

In recognition of these facts, the Lagos State Government in 2006 flagged-off an ongoing School Health programme with attention paid to schools in the rural communities. In furtherance to this course, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris recently flagged- off the 2008 school health programme. The event which took place at the School complex of Abati primary School in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos saw the screening of over 1,400 school pupils for minor ailments including upper respiratory tract infection, dental caries, scabies, malnutrition, eye diseases and heart beats amongst others.

Idris who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Pharm. Toyin Hamzat also disclosed that N15 million had been earmarked per term to ensure that each primary one pupil is provided with free meals twice a week under the programme. The school health programme was revitalized in 2006 to address the needs of the child, aimed at preventing, reducing, monitoring and treating problems peculiar to the pupil and the school environment.

Giving insight into the screening exercise which had been flagged off in 20 local governments in the state, Idris said a total of 30,625 primary one, three and six school pupils have been screened and 6,654 treated for minor ailments since October 2006 to date. The programme was initiated by the State Government to ensure physical and mental fitness of pupils, detect the physically challenged by routine and periodic medical examination and provide First Aid treatment of minor ailments with necessary referrals if necessary"

Other reasons he gave include; to improve the health and nutritional status of the pupils, ensure hygienic and healthy preparation and distribution of school milk to the pupils, ensure regular stocking of First Aid Box and contents, as well as encourage behaviourial change for better health through distribution of information materials amongst others.

Idris hinted that each local government has been encouraged to form school health committees to ensure that the programme is implemented in every school in the State. He added that the State through the school milk programme provides for 937 public primary schools in the state and a total of 65,500 primary one school pupils benefitting from it.

Sole Administrator, Alimosho Local Government, Mrs. Elizabeth Ashiru opined that the programme would raise the level of awareness of the pupils and teachers on personal health and hygiene as well as detecting health needs early. Ashiru also stated that it would strengthen the healthcare delivery system in the local areas, would generally improve the intellectual capacity and potential of children.

Copyright © 2008 Vanguard

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