BANGALORE: Radha (name changed), a student of ninth standard at Government School, Jalahalli, had some white patches for the past few years. She did not give it much thought. Moreover, she knew her mother, who works as a domestic help, could not afford the luxury of spending money on treating something that did not trouble her much.

The girl was among the many children who went for the first time for a health check-up as part of the newly-launched Suvarna Arogya Chaitanya health programme launched in the school on Monday. The dermatologist said she was suffering from Pityriasis Alba, a skin disorder commonly found in children and adolescents. She was given tablets free and asked to buy a medicated soap in the nearby medical shop.

Similarly, other children suffering from throat infection and abnormal hair growth besides malnourishment and sight defects were treated by the doctors.

"We do not want to ignore ailments of the children," Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Basavaraj Horatti said. "Many parents of those studying in Government schools do not take it seriously as the treatment costs are expensive and beyond their reach. The programme will not only look after the health of the children but also create health awareness among the parents and teachers. We want to make physical education and yoga compulsory," he said. The Government has released Rs. 3 crore for the programme, he added.

The programme has been devised to cover 70 lakh students across the State. Each student will be checked by the doctors of the Primary Health Centres and the specialists of the area. Medicines are given in the school and if the student is serious he/she is immediately admitted to hospital.

All details, including the height, weight and ailments, will be entered class-wise in the health card similar to the report card. "The headmaster will preserve this card that shows the progress of the student's health from 1st standard to 10th standard," Madan Gopal, Commissioner of the Department of Public Instruction, said.

This programme was formally launched in the Government School, Jalahalli. The programme will be simultaneously held in all the districts till March 15. Next year, the Department of Public Instruction is planning to conduct the programme in November.

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