MoHAP Unveils National School Health Screening Guideline

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has introduced the National School Health Screening Guideline to standardize health checks for students across UAE schools. Developed in collaboration with health, education, and social authorities, the guideline targets students from kindergarten to grade 12, aiming to identify health or developmental conditions early and ensure timely intervention.

The framework provides a unified approach for school health examinations, facilitating the creation of a reliable national database of student health data. Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Public Health Sector, highlighted the initiative’s alignment with international best practices, supporting sustainable development goals and the UAE Centennial Plan 2071.

The guideline includes annual health screenings, assessments of growth metrics such as height, weight, and BMI, vision and hearing checks, dental health evaluations, and scoliosis detection. It also emphasizes mental health, behavioral assessments, and monitoring of smoking habits for students over 10 years old. Vaccination records will be reviewed and updated according to the national immunization program.

Additionally, the guide incorporates age-appropriate awareness programs to boost students' health literacy and ensure their well-being. Dr. Al Rand underlined the UAE’s commitment to investing in the health of children and adolescents as part of its broader development policies. Dr. Suad Al Awar, Head of the Family Health Department, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts across sectors to prioritize student health, supported by national initiatives such as the National Programme to Combat Obesity.

This comprehensive framework reflects MoHAP's dedication to promoting integrated and preventive healthcare for students, securing their well-being as a cornerstone of the nation’s future.

News Source: Emirates News Agency