Medical offices will be restored in public schools
For years, most schools depended solely on emergency medical services and were not involved in immunization promotion processes. There was no database concerning the health status of schoolchildren, and no adequate referral mechanism was in place. Schools faced unfavorable epidemiological conditions and a lack of awareness and knowledge regarding hygiene issues.
From the 2014-2015 academic year, the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia is launching the piloting process for the restoration of medical offices in public schools. Within the framework of the project:
- The school doctor will provide timely first aid to students;
- Will plan and implement health promotion measures;
- Will carry out appropriate referrals;
- Will contribute to the prevention of chronic diseases and school traumatism;
- Will disseminate information about immunization and preventive mechanisms for infectious diseases;
- Will provide recommendations to the school administration and homeroom teachers regarding a child's health status;
- Schools will actively engage in immunization promotion processes;
- Awareness and knowledge regarding health and hygiene protection issues will be raised.
School medical offices will be equipped with the necessary inventory, medications, and other required resources.
The Ministries of Education and Health have worked jointly on this project throughout the year. As a result, starting from the new academic year, individuals selected by the Ministry of Health who hold a state certificate confirming independent medical practice in the medical specialty of Family Medicine/Pediatrics will be employed as school doctors. The Ministry of Health will select and retrain the school doctors and monitor their activities. The Ministry of Education will ensure the selection of pilot schools and the improvement of infrastructure and the material-technical base.
