Improving school health services

Amidst the complex developments of the pandemic and the increasing need for student healthcare, school health services at educational institutions throughout the province have seen many positive changes.

With 1,379 educational institutions and over 700,000 students throughout the province, ensuring primary healthcare for these children has become a crucial task, contributing to building a safe and healthy educational environment.

In recent years, many schools have proactively collaborated with the health sector to organize communication campaigns on infectious diseases and school-related illnesses such as refractive errors, tooth decay, scoliosis, seasonal diseases, and food safety and hygiene. This is considered a key solution to raise awareness and disease prevention skills among students.

At Phan Dang Luu Primary School (Ea Kao ward), awareness campaigns are regularly maintained through coordination between the school and the Ea Tam Health Station. Ms. Huynh Bich Ha, the school principal, reported: Every year, all students are informed about easily transmissible diseases such as conjunctivitis, diphtheria, whooping cough, and tetanus, and receive vaccinations and booster shots according to the schedule set by the health sector.

At Tran Quoc Toan Secondary School (Tuy Hoa ward), Principal Bui Anh Tuan said the school has 1,508 students in 37 classes. Every year, the school disinfects to prevent dengue fever, organizes awareness campaigns on infectious diseases, food safety, adolescent reproductive health care, and the harmful effects of e-cigarettes. "These activities help students develop habits to protect their health, proactively recognize abnormal signs, and effectively prevent disease," Mr. Tuan shared.

Baby 2 Kindergarten (Tuy Hoa Ward) collaborated with medical personnel to conduct health checkups for children at the school.

Le Thi Bich Hanh, a 9th-grade student at Tran Quoc Toan Secondary School, said: “Thanks to the awareness campaigns, we know more about common diseases and how to prevent them. This is very helpful for us.”

Besides communication, many schools prioritize regular health check-ups to detect school-related illnesses early and monitor students' physical health.

"The monitoring results from the Department of Education and Training show that most schools have maintained good health monitoring of students, coordinated regular health check-ups, ensured environmental hygiene, facilities, lighting, and arranged medical rooms according to regulations. The link between schools, families, and the community is increasingly emphasized, creating an effective and sustainable system for supporting students' health," said Vo Thi Minh Duyen, Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training .

At Phan Dang Luu Primary School, students receive three health check-ups each year: at the beginning, middle, and end of the year. The check-ups include vision testing, height and weight measurements, general examinations, and deworming medication. This activity helps the school monitor student development and detect potential health risks so that timely advice can be provided.

At the preschool level, the need for healthcare is paramount. Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy, Principal of Baby 2 Preschool (Tuy Hoa Ward), said: The school has 367 children, who receive health check-ups twice a year. “Based on the check-up results, the school adjusts the menu to ensure balanced nutrition and prevent both malnutrition and obesity,” Ms. Thuy said.

Currently, in schools, school health staff not only provide first aid and initial care but also participate in psychological counseling, provide guidance on personal hygiene, coordinate nutritional checks, and support the school in seasonal disease prevention activities. In mountainous and remote areas, health staff also act as a bridge between the school, parents, and students, especially in boarding and semi-boarding schools.

According to the Department of Education and Training, school health services are a key task that the sector pays special attention to. Every year, the Department of Education and Training, in coordination with the Department of Health, conducts inspections at schools, providing timely guidance and correcting shortcomings in order to improve the quality of student health care.

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/y-te-suc-khoe/202511/nang-chat-y-te-hoc-duong-1780076/