Mumbai: BMC health campaign to screen 24 lakh children

District action teams led by an additional municipal commissioner of the BMC will plan, implement and monitor campaign. Representation pic

AMID rising concerns over students' health in government and semi-government schools and colleges, the civic body on Thursday began a campaign called Jagruk Palak-Sudrudh Balak (Alert Parents- Healthy Children) to monitor the health of around 24 lakh children through check-ups and counselling.

According to officials of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), students across government and semi-government schools and junior colleges in Mumbai city and suburbs, schools for the visually impaired and differently abled, anganwadis, children's homes/children's correctional homes, orphanages, social welfare and tribal departments, hostels (boys/girls), along with private kindergartens will be covered under this campaign.

The campaign will be implemented in coordination with the state public health department, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Department of Medical Education, Department of Education and Department of Social Welfare.

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"District action teams have been established at the municipal level to plan, implement and regularly review this campaign. The team has been formed under the chairmanship of Dr Sanjeev Kumar, additional municipal commissioner (western suburbs)," said Rajesh Kankal, BMC education officer.

The campaign was launched in the presence of the deputy municipal commissioner (public health), executive health officer, education officer, women and child development officer, members of the Indian Medical Association, members of the Indian Association of Paediatricians, and others.

"Everyone will be working together to make the campaign a success and take the benefits of the campaign to every child," said Dr Kumar. He added, "Under the campaign, counselling, treatment, and guidance will be provided to children right from zero to 18 years."

The campaign

>> To provide health screening and preventive and curative health facilities to all boys and girls in the city aged below 18 years
>> Immediate treatment for sick children
>> Treating sick children by providing referral services (like medication, surgery...)
>> Counselling to children, parents for safety, health.