Delhi schools to set up medical rooms with provision for menstrual health needs of girls

The Delhi government will establish first-aid medical facilities in all 1,086 government schools under the Directorate of Education at an estimated annual cost of Rs 48.87 crore, Education Minister Ashish Sood said on Sunday. According to an official statement, each school will have a trained health worker, such as an auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM) or a multipurpose health worker, to provide first aid to students during school hours.

The facilities will offer basic medical assistance, including wound dressing, administration of oral rehydration solution (ORS) and supervised temporary rest. However, they will not provide diagnostic services or prescribe medicines.

Delhi government schools to get medical rooms

The proposed facilities aim to address situations involving minor injuries, sudden illness, fatigue, dizziness and other temporary discomforts experienced by students during school hours.

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The rollout will take place in phases, beginning with schools that have separate rooms available for the facilities. Schools without suitable rooms will be covered in subsequent phases, with alternative rooms or porta cabins set up for the purpose, the statement said. The facilities will also provide a private space for girl students to address their menstrual health needs.

Initiative aligned with NEP 2020

The proposal is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which envisages safe, inclusive and supportive learning environments. “Every child in our government schools deserves a safe and caring environment. When a student falls sick or gets hurt during school hours, parents and teachers should have peace of mind knowing that immediate first aid and proper care are readily available right inside the school campus,” Sood said. He added that the initiative would ensure students have access to immediate basic medical assistance within school premises.

(With PTI inputs)