40% schoolchildren suffering from diseases in Kapurthala - Hindustan Times
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40% schoolchildren suffering from diseases in Kapurthala

Hindustan Times | By, Kapurthala
Apr 16, 2016 02:36 PM IST

Around 40% children studying in government schools in the district are suffering from various types of diseases, revealed the annual health screening report of the health department.

Around 40% children studying in government schools in the district are suffering from various types of diseases, revealed the annual health screening report of the health department.

Symptoms of heart diseases were found in 128 children while skin infection was detected in 1,436 children.(HT File)
Symptoms of heart diseases were found in 128 children while skin infection was detected in 1,436 children.(HT File)

The health check-up, carried out in the last one year, is part of the health department’s elaborate plan for phase-wise screening of a total of 85,944 school children in 834 schools and 52,575 students in agangarwadi centres under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) programme, district health.

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As per information, in the 2015-16 session, the health department had screened 66285 (77%) school children in 834 government schools and 12154 (23%) children were screened at the health check-up camp in last education session across the district.

During the screening, it had found that almost every child was suffering from the lack of calcium and vitamins. While, the department had identified a total of 12247 children suffering from diseases having symptoms of 30 diseases under RBSK programme affirmed dangerous for child’s development by the Punjab health department. Theses children get the free treatment in government hospitals.

Among those screened as part of the drive, 211 children were found defects at birth, deficiencies in 986 children, childhood diseases in 8576 children and developmental delays including disabilities in 2474 children with with congenital heart diseases, congenital deafness, lack of vitamins, skin problems, dental conditions, hearing and vision impairment diseases on high among children.

Major diseases symptoms with heart diseases were found in 128 children, skin condition among 1436 children, dental conditions among 6471, 1680 found with weak vision and 668 children found suffering from severe anemia, which has directly impact over the physical as well mentally growth of small children.

Health experts said that most of the diseases reported due to the waterborne diseases, lack of proteins in the diets and A diet that does not have enough iron.

Health department constituted four special teams and conducted a health screening camp for all government, aided school children once in a year while twice at agangarwadi centres in the district. As health department claimed that many migrated students had dropped the school and all children did not join the angerwari schools, which was the reason for the low percentage.

Each health team comprising two medical officers, a pharmacist, and a staff nurse conducts check-up in schools. District health department had formed seven teams at block levels for the screening of the children.

Kapurthala Civil surgeon, Dr Varindra Singh said that children found suffering from diseases have been taking free treatment at their nearest government hospitals or community health centres (CHC) in the district.

“As many as 79 children have been referred to PGI Chandigarh for surgeries of congenital heart disease, Cleft lip and cleft palate surgery out of which 11 had completed their treatment and other are availing the treatment at free of cost under the scheme,” She added.

Meanwhile, on March month, out of the total 17,294 children, only 5012 children got the treatment in the district.

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  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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    Jatinder Mahal is a staff correspondent. He covers Jalandhar, Kapurthala and SBS Nagar district for Hindustan Times.

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