Date:22/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/22/stories/2008082259810500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

A ‘healthy’ initiative from the district machinery

HYDERABAD: The district health officials will soon launch a series of health camps to screen all the students of 815 government schools, including primary and secondary levels, in Hyderabad district. The drive, expected to be launched within a month, also includes follow-up medication at government and private hospitals.

Doctors and allied health workers from urban health posts (UHP) and government hospitals will be visiting their respective local government schools to conduct the screening camps. The project being taken up under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) also includes distribution of syrups based on vitamin A to eradicate night blindness.

Doctors from dental, eye, skin, anaemia, cardiology and other such specialisations will be roped in for the endeavour, which even aims to provide health cards to students. Nearly 72 hospitals that include area hospitals and UHPs, under the purview of District Medical and Health authority would be taking part in the drive.

Authorities have informed that a majority of the students from government schools are already the beneficiaries of Arogyasri health card and that would help the authorities to refer students to corporate hospitals for major surgeries in twin cities.

Apart from screening, efforts are also to spend nearly Rs. 30 lakh to purchase drugs and other medical needs to be distributed immediately among children after screening.