New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) said on Friday that it will write letters to all chief secretaries in order to appoint state level coordination committee for the implementation of Health and Wellness Ambassadors programme jointly launched with Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).
Dr Ajay Khera, commissioner in the Union Health Ministry Launched recently in New Delhi, the school-based health promotion activities have been incorporated as part of the Health and Wellness component of the Ayushman Bharat programme.
These activities will combine health education, health promotion, disease prevention, and improve access to health services in an integrated, systemic manner at the school level.
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A senior official in the Health Ministry told ETV Bharat that Government will send letter to all state chief secretaries for the implementation of the project.
Two teachers in every school will be declared as "Health and Wellness Ambassadors" who will transact weekly health promotion and disease prevention information in the form of interactive activities.
It may be mentioned here that India is home to 47.3 crore children (0-18 years) comprising 39 per cent of the country's total population (Census 2011). The recent data suggests around 26 crore children in the age group of 6-18 years are attending schools.
With increased emphasis on Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Right to Education Act (2010), the number of children attending school has increased considerably.
However, to implement the new Health and Wellness Ambassadors initiative state-level coordination committee will be set up comprising secretaries from health, education, panchayat raj and other related stakeholders.
Sources privy to the initiative told ETV Bharat that Rs 70 lakh budgetary allocation will be made for each districts comprising 1000 schools.
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On Thursday evening, Dr Ajay Khera, commissioner in the Union Health Ministry interacted with state representatives regarding implementation of the project.
"All state chief secretaries will be asked to appoint state level coordination committee for this purpose. Proper coordination is very much necessary. Health Ministry and Education Ministry will jointly sanction the money, but issues related to the implementation of the project needs to be taken jointly," Khera said.
Interestingly, in 2013 government of India has launched the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) under the national health mission for early direction and timely management of illness among children by periodic screening through the platform of school and anganwadi centre.
