Annual School Medical Inspection program (SMI) For Grade 1, 4 and 7 students – 2019 by Royal College Doctors Association (RCDA)

Recognizing the importance of early screening of medical problems prevalent among school children, the volunteer hands at the Royal College Doctors’ Association (RCDA) carried out the Annual School Medical Inspection Program on 9th– 11th of July 2019, at the Royal College premises.

In taking measures to detect and prevent diseases and ailments of subtle nature in order to ensure students’ uninterrupted wellbeing, studies, and sports, the RCDA with the patronage of the School health Officers from MOH, screened the students of Grade One, Four and Seven. In Each year, these medical examinations aimed at detecting, treating and following up on factors affecting the health and wellbeing of students such as the Nutritional status, Vision, hearing, psychological and other systemic medical illnesses.

On first two days, nearly 60 Doctors from RCDA and the Ministry of Health examined around 700 students from Grade One and Four and on the second day, about 640 students of Grade Seven were examined. In addition by adhering to the National Guidelines on De-worming Children; de-worming treatment was provided to all the Primary section students of the Royal College.

Of the students who took part in the medical checkup, those were identified with defects and diseases were referred to relevant specialized care for further investigation, treatment and follow up.

On the third day, students of Grade Seven were given “adult Tetanus and Diphtheria” (aTD) vaccine. About 520 students received the vaccine, which was the highest number of vaccinations given in a SMI program totaling 74% immunity coverage against Tetanus and Diphtheria. A team of old Royalist medical officers who are specialized in Anesthesia, Critical & Emergency care, together with School health unit staff carried out the immunization project, making certain that there were not any adverse reactions to vaccines administered against diphtheria and tetanus.

The effort and dedication of the medical ‘task force’ (RCDA) that is the Old Royalist Doctors who volunteer their expertise and sacrifice the time showing love, respect and care in returning the debt to their beloved Alma Mater must be commended and highly appreciated. A very special gratitude should be accorded to the organizers of the SMI 2019, Dr. H. R. Thambawita and Dr. P. D. Wijeratne of RCDA, for their untiring efforts in organizing and coordinating the event between the Schools Health office of the Ministry of Health and the Royal College to achieve highest immunization rate ever making this program a huge success.

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