Starting this monsoon, students at civic schools will learn about waterborne diseases and other monsoon ailments. The BMC plans to incorporate health education in the academic curriculum of civic schools.
Starting this monsoon, students at civic schools will learn about waterborne diseases and other monsoon ailments. The BMC plans to incorporate health education in the academic curriculum of civic schools.
“There would be lessons on hygiene, eating habits, sanitation, etc,” said Manisha Mhaiskar, additional municipal commissioner (health). “Measures are being taken to amend the curriculum to generate large-scale awareness among kids. The plan will be implemented in a month.”
The public health department and the education department will jointly decide how crucial health issues can be taught using simple language. They held their first meeting in this regard on Thursday.
Children form a major portion of patients suffering from monsoon ailments. Over 4 lakh children study at BMC-run schools. There are 1,169 schools run by the civic body.
“Making children aware solves half the problem. They are the most susceptible to waterborne diseases. In most cases, they are not aware of the ways in which one contracts diseases because of his or her eating habits and personal hygiene,” said Rajul Patel, chairman of the health committee.
Students at civic schools tend to eat and drink at roadside stalls during their lunch breaks. “There is no control on what they consume,” said Vinod Ghedia, education committee chairman.
“Targeting unlicensed shops is one step, while imparting education on dos and don’ts will be another major initiative.”
Meanwhile, waterborne ailments like gastroenteritis, diarrhoea and jaundice continue to be on an upswing. Kurla, Byculla, Colaba, Kalbadevi and Worli are the worst affected. Traces of the lethal bacteria, E coli, have been found in the water. “Eighty-two samples of unfit water were collected from Kurla, 47 from Byculla, and 30 each from Colaba, Kalbadevi and Worli,” said a senior health official.
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