School health program was organized by NRI cell in collaboration with Student welfare
department on 30-01-2024 at Morarji Desai residential School, Mulbagal , Kolar. Dr.Menali
President Student NRI cell organised the event. The objective of this program was to conduct
routine health check-up from 6 th standard to 10 th standard residential students. The school
health program was started by 10:30 Am. All school children assembled and they were
informed about the health programme. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ear nose
and throat (ENT),Ophthalmology, Pediatrics, Orthopaedics, Dermatology and Psychiatry
participated in this event. A total of 40 doctors from RL Jalappa Hospital and research centre
were part of the team.

The screening program for students started with Health talk by Dr.Pradeep.T.S., Director,
Student Welfare Department. He spoke on various Adolescent health issues which usually the
adolescents go through during this transition phase. He added that such problems will have
solutions but we as adolescents will not be knowing the reason and where to approach for the
same.

This was followed by talk by Dr.Menali D. The president NRI student cell. She spoke on 4
important measures for healthy life. First she spoke on general health awareness. She stressed
on how hand washing can prevent many health problems. She said all the steps in hand
washing and made students to do the same. This was followed by healthy diet and its
importance in this age group. Addition of more vegetables in thali will add more years in
your life was the slogan which she made every student to chant. Third point she spoke was
common Nutritional deficiency which are caused in this age group. She spoke on Iron
deficiency anaemia its symptoms and its mode of treatment. She spoke how regular intake of
Weekly Iron folic acid can bring down this problem among the adolescent. She ended her talk
with hygienic practices to prevent scabies as many students complained during interaction
that scabies was their common other problem. She was applauded with all joy by students.

This talk was later followed by Dr.Sahana M, Assistant Professor in Department of
Psychiatry. For the first time in their school, they witnessed many of their issues faced during
adolescents were very trivial and they had solutions. She spoke on anxiety during exams,
depression in this age group is as common as fever. She added that in the same way how
fever with so many symptoms can be treated, so can these mental health illness. She spoke on
breathing exercises, diaphragmatic breathing and its advantages in such situations. She told
meditation for 20 minutes per day can bring new change in their mental health dimensions of
life and they can resist any temptations which are very common in this age group. She
concluded with the talk saying mental health is of equal priority and should never be
neglected.

This was followed by school health camp where students were screened for routine illness
under all above said departments. 240 students benefitted the health camp. According to
Ophthalmological evaluation, 35 students were diagnosed with Myopia and needed further
evaluation at RL Jalappa Hospital and Research centre. 2 CSOM cases were identified by the
ENT surgeons and they were referred back to the Hospital. Menstrual health problems faced
by the adolescents were more and very common. The Obstetrics and Gynaecology Senior
resident advised them not to worry about these common health issues and to take medications
only if needed. More then 50 students volunteered for mental health issues which were
screened and counselling was given. Those cases which needed any further detailed
evaluation were shortlisted and were told to meet in the hospital. The event ended with
felicitation of the speakers and lunch.