Better health of the country’s students very important: Dr. Vinod Paul

Dharamsala, September 8, 2023: Dr. Vinod Paul, a member of NITI Aayog, emphasized the importance of the health and well-being of the country's students during a teachers meeting  in Dharamshala on September 8th. He revealed that the Health Ministry and NITI Aayog are collaborating to assess, enhance, and upgrade healthcare services for students, with a particular focus on improving the school health program.

Dr. Paul explained that the school health program encompasses various critical aspects, including health education, health check-ups, mental health and counseling, yoga, school environment in terms of health, first aid, and acute care. These components are vital for ensuring the overall well-being of students, and efforts are being made to ensure their effective implementation. Dr. Paul stressed the importance of a joint effort by teachers and the health department to achieve this goal. The effective execution of the school health program will be tailored to meet the specific needs of students, thereby enabling the younger generation to make a healthy contribution to the country's progress and prosperity.

During the event, teachers acknowledged the crucial role that parents play in keeping children away from addictive behaviors like excessive Smartphone and internet use. Effective communication with children was identified as a key factor in addressing their issues, and an action plan was suggested to encourage open expression of thoughts and concerns by students. Additionally, it was proposed to raise awareness among children about healthy eating habits, including the availability of nutritious food in school cafeterias.

Deputy Commissioner Dr. Nipun Jindal shared that Kangra district is taking proactive measures to ensure the effective implementation of the school health program. To steer students away from unhealthy practices and promote character development, a dialogue program has been initiated in 152 schools in the district. This program includes providing health-related information to students.

The event was attended by various officials, including AC to DC Subhash Gautam, Chief Medical Officer Sushil Sharma, District Program Officer Ashok Sharma, officials from the Education Department, and school principals.