Shutdown: Healthcare screening of students on hold

Several healthcare schemes such as State Leprosy Eradication Programme, Pulse Polio Vaccination Programme, Revised National Tuberculosis Eradication Programme and School Health Programme have remained inactive for the most part of the year due to the pandemic.

Similarly, many public health programmes by the State Health Department, that include distribution of awareness material and surveys among children, have also been non-functional as the schools are yet to reopen. “We cannot risk the lives of the children as it involves a level of responsibility and also the approval of parents is necessary. Public healthcare programmes, that not only involve activities such as health camps, awareness drives, screening and immunisation but also the distribution of food and sanitary napkins have been hit,” said a senior official from the State National Health Mission.

Former project director of National Health Mission Dr K Senthil Raj stated that the reach of several public healthcare programmes was increased by increasing the access to them through volunteers and door-to-door campaigns. As the detection of active cases has come down due to reduced screening, the reopening of schools will bring additional burden to the officials.