User:Sohailmpa

School Health & Nutrition Supervisor

INTRODUCTION

In the past, School Health Services remained a component of Health Service Delivery. This service became dormant in late 80s. Under the Health Sector Reforms Program, it was perceived that there is a dire need of Health and Nutrition Program for the school children studying in rural areas. This program can contribute to improve health, nutrition, learning performance, increased school enrolment, attendance, better hygiene practices in the community and to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for health, education and child protection. Hygiene education appears in the commitments of governments as well as international agencies and are relevant to international charters like the: the Millennium Development Goals, the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, convention on the Rights of the Child and the Dakar Framework for Action - Education for all.

OBJECTIVES

The main objectives of the SH&NP are as under: Screening of the primary and middle school children for detection of common health problems by general physical examination and by examination of Eye, ENT, Dental and Skin. Bring about an improvement in the general quality of life of school children. Capacity building of school teachers for screening of children and promotion of hygiene education among the school children. Identification of problems after screening and referral of student to BHUs, RHCs, THQs, DHQs and Tertiary Care Hospital, if required. Linkage with community, with the students playing catalytic role for dissemination of environmental sanitation and hygiene education, as change agents.

IMPLEMENTATION PARTNERS: > Punjab Health Sector Reforms Program > Health Department > Education Department > District Governments > UNICEF

ACTION PLAN The action plan is envisioned to compromised following interventions:

1. Creation of post of School Health and Nutrition Supervisor at every BHUs: The post have been created in every BHU of the Punjab. Notification and Job description is attached as annexure.

2. Development of training manual for training of SH&NS at DHDCs: UNICEF Punjab is cooperating for development of training manual. The assignment has been given to reputed consultant for the purpose.

3. Recruitment and training of SH&NS: Recruitment process has been completed in four districts. In other districts recruitment will be started as early as possible.

4. Training of School teachers by SH&NS under supervision of Health Officer of BHUs: UNICEF Punjab has committed to provide financial and technical assistance for training of SH&NS and school teachers.

5. Implementation of program This program will be operationalized after completion of recruitment process and training of SH&NS. The expected date of execution of the program is 01.12.2008.

The SH&NS will visit every primary and middle school of his catchments area, preferably once in a month for delivering lectures on health education and health life style. He will also carry out screening of students for Eye, ENT, Dental, Skin and General Physical problems. The trained school teachers will assist him. After screening, if any problem is detected, the student will be referred to medical officer Incharge of concerned BHU. The student will be examined by medical officer and if the problem can be treated at BHU level, he will be provided treatment. In case the student needs any specialized treatment, medical officer will refer him to the concerned specialty available at the nearest hospital i.e. RHC, THQ, DHQ and Tertiary Care Hospital. Management / treatment of the student will be provided free of cost but in case some expenditure is involved parents, school councils and local NGOs or Philanthropist may be approached. EXPECTED OUTCOMES Reduction in modality and mortality due to common diseases, un healthy life style and nutritional problems. Achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) regarding health, education and child protection. Change in school culture regarding capacity building of school teachers and students for promotion of hygiene education and healthy life style. Life skills based hygiene education for students who will play catalytic for dissemination of this knowledge to the society for the rest of his life.