A national guide to health examination of school students

The Ministry of Health and Community Protection launched the National Guide to School Health Screening for Students, in cooperation with health, educational and social authorities, with the aim of early detection of health or developmental conditions in students, starting from kindergarten to grade 12, allowing intervention and providing the necessary support in a timely manner to enhance the health of generations. Current and future, within an integrated work system by conducting school health examinations in the country, unifying health care efforts for students, in addition to establishing a reliable national database for the results of school health examinations for students, which contributes to enhancing community health and improving the quality of life.

This came during an event organized by the Ministry in Dubai, in the presence of the Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector in the Ministry, Dr. Hussein Abdul Rahman Al-Rand, officials from the relevant departments and divisions, and representatives of health, educational and social authorities in the country.

The guide constitutes a comprehensive national framework for health personnel in the country to provide preventive health services according to a consistent approach and a specific timetable. The guide also includes an awareness series appropriate to the needs of students at different age levels, to enhance their health awareness.

The guide includes typical detailed steps for early detection of health and developmental conditions in students, through conducting school health examinations, updating the medical history of each student annually, evaluating growth indicators such as height, weight, and body mass index, in addition to examining eyesight, and following up on the vaccination status of students and updating it according to the program. National Center for Immunization, in addition to conducting specialized examinations, the most important of which are a comprehensive physical examination, detection of cases of tilted spine (scoliosis), hearing examination, dental health, mental and behavioral health, and assessment of students’ smoking status. Over the age of ten to provide medical advice.

Al-Rand stressed that the guide reflects the Ministry’s commitment to applying the best international practices in the field of school health care, by employing all advanced capabilities in creating a national database for health examination results for students in public and private schools, in line with the standards of the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). ), which contributes to achieving the goals of sustainable development and meets the ambitions of the UAE Centennial 2071, to prepare generations with the best levels of health and readiness to participate in building a sustainable future.

He added that the Ministry is leading national efforts to enhance the public health of school students, and ensuring the provision of preventive and integrated health care for them, through developing and updating scientific evidence for school health examinations, in cooperation with strategic partners in the country.

In turn, the Head of the Family Health Department at the Ministry, Dr. Suad Al-Awar, pointed out the combined efforts of health, educational and social agencies in the country to enhance the health of school students, which is the stage that constitutes the largest part of their childhood, stressing the vital role of national programs in the country, including the National Program to Combat Obesity. , the National Vaccination Program and others.

. The guide aims to create a reliable national database for students’ school health examination results.

. The examination results allow obtaining basic national data for proper planning of health programmes.