Spetember 7, 2013
A pilot project to “train the teachers on adolescent health care” initiated by the Cuddalore chapter of the Indian Academy of Paediatrics was launched here on Friday. After studying the project’s impact on the teaching and student communities it would be taken to the national level, according to V. Sivaprakasam, project coordinator and former president of the Tamil Nadu chapter of the IAP.
At the inaugural training session held on the premises of the district headquarters government hospital here today Dr. Sivaprakasam said that the Cuddalore chapter of the IAP, in recognition of its awareness programme on adolescent care, had won awards at the national level for 10 years in a row.
He said, “If the nation were to attain the super power status by 2020 the health parameters of the adolescents ought to be improved and the project is aimed at achieving the goal.”
Anaemia, a cause of concern
According to veteran member of the IAP V. Namachivayam, the health indicators among the adolescents, particularly that of girls, was a cause for concern because 33 per cent of them was underweight, 45 per cent had a stunted growth, 56 per cent of those in the age group of 15-49 years was anaemic and 57.9 per cent of pregnant women was anaemic.
“Regular intake of green leaf vegetables, pulses, cereals, bread, seasonal fruits and cooking in utensils made of iron would provide the required level of proteins and iron,” Dr. Namachivayam said.
Dr. Sivaprakasam noted that it would be impossible for the 30 paediatricians to provide efficient health care services to 3.5 lakh students in Cuddalore district. Hence, it was deemed appropriate to train the teachers on the basic health care aspects so they in turn could disseminate the knowledge among students.
Each participant was given a compact disc containing the information of how to make the adolescents physically, mentally and socially sound citizens.
Common problems
The teachers listed out certain common problems faced by them from the adolescents: swooning at the time of morning prayers in schools, complaining of leg pain, headache, eye ailments, fits, rashes below the mouth and certain skin problems. Dr. Sivaprakasam said that skipping breakfast would reduce the blood glucose level, causing fatigue, lesser attention span and disinterestedness in studies. He termed breakfast as “brain diet” as it would keep the brain alert and the body agile.
Superintendent of government hospital Sarah Zeline Paul, IAP president (Cuddalore) S. Kamalakannan, Chief Educational Officer D. Joseph Antony Raj and others participated.
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