50-day long statewide School Health Programme from 13 November

Gandhinagar, 3 November 2014

Gujarat Chief Minister will open state-wide school health programme on 13 November. The school health programme(SHP) will cover health checkup of over 1.56 crore children according to Health minister Nitin Patel.

A meeting of steering committee for SHP was held today in Gandhinagar in presence of concerned ministers.

The programme, according to Nitinbhai will continue for 50 days across the state. Dada-Dadi and parents meetings is new initiative added to this year’s SHP. Healthy child competition, exhibition of nutritious food, cleanliness drive will be connected to SHP.

To provide facility of super speciality treatment at closer distance, the state government will involve local government hospitals or private institutes. This will help to ensure faster clearance of weighting list.

MoS Health, Shankarbhai Chaudhary said that children of salt workers will be offered health checkup through mobile van. He stressed on importance of preventive healthcare.

Health Commissioner JP Gupta said that SHP will be organized during 13 November 2014 and 11 January 2015 involving over 1.56 crore children, and 3,89,170 employees of health and education department.He said last year 1,49,84,889 children were checked, of which 15,00,516 were given treatment on the spot, while 99,641 wre given glasses. Over all 96% success was achieved, against which this year’s target is 100% achievement.