A national program for health examination and student vaccinations in public schools

The Ministry of Education, in cooperation with the Emirates Health Services Corporation, has adopted a specialized national program for school health examination and student vaccinations in public schools in the various emirates of the country for the current academic year.

It was generalized on schools the guide to the application of the program, and the schools in turn circulated it to parents to sign and agree.

The program comes within the efforts to enhance students’ health, ensure a safe educational environment through early detection of health problems and provide the necessary preventive interventions.

The program, which is seen by «Emirates Today», includes an annual essential health examination of all levels of study, which is conducted at the school clinic by the school nurse, and covers the measurement of height and weight, calculating the body mass index, examining the vision, reviewing the medical registry and vaccinations, in addition to providing the appropriate health education for each age group.

The program also includes comprehensive examinations targeting specific academic stages, which includes the first kindergarten, first grade, fifth grade, and ninth grade, and is carried out by an integrated medical team that includes a general doctor, a dentist, a nurse and a medical technician.

According to the program, the examinations are distributed according to the academic stage, where kindergarten students are subject to a general medical examination and the observer dental brushing program, while first -grade students are conducted for a blood test (full blood census), hearing and vision examination, and a medical examination that includes the genital examination in primary health care centers only, in addition to the application of fluoride, and the hyperactivity disorder examination and attention lack of attention when needed, and the fifth grade students Their examinations include medical examination and the examination of the spine (scoliosis) for female students, as well as examination of oral and dental health and the application of fluoride, and in the ninth grade students are subject to blood examination, while male students are subject to medical examination and the examination of the spine, in addition to conducting depression examination.

In the event that any abnormal results appear, parents receive a referral letter to review the specialized doctors, to ensure accurate follow -up of the student’s health condition.

The school nurse directly has emergency medical interventions when needed, according to the approved protocols, including the installation of intravenous solutions or giving oxygen, and immediate communication with the male or female student guardian, and in the event that it is not possible to reach, the male or female student is transferred to the nearest health center or hospital, and in critical cases the ambulance is called immediately, accompanied by a member of the school administration until the guardian arrives.

She explained that the drugs authorized to use them in school clinics include: Paracetamol to relieve pain and reduce heat, and an antihistamine cream to treat skin allergies, and Ebinverin to treat acute allergic conditions, and salbutamol sprays to control asthma symptoms, in addition to lice shampoo that is sent with the student to the home when needed, as parents who are highly allergic to the student. Providing the school with their Epinefrin pen to be kept in the school clinic.

The Ministry stressed that the data extracted from the tests will be used by health authorities to monitor the patterns of diseases in the community and support national initiatives, with full commitment to the confidentiality of information and the privacy of students, explaining that vaccinations represent a basic pillar in preventing infectious diseases, according to Ministerial Resolution No. (14), calling on parents to adhere to the national schedule of vaccinations.

She explained that by signing the approval form attached to the program, parents admit that they receive sufficient information about the program and its goals, and they agree to follow up on the health of their children when needed, and on emergency medical interventions, if necessary, as well as their approval to receive their children national vaccinations.

The program embodies the UAE’s vision in building a healthy, healthy generation capable of contributing to the development process.

• The “program” contributes to promoting students ’health and ensuring a safe educational environment through early detection of health problems.