The Hindu 26.08.2013
‘Tooth decay, worm infestation, common among Corporation school students’
A recent medical screening conducted by the doctors on
the Corporation school students has revealed that the students suffer
more from dental caries and worm infestation.
According
to P. Aruna, City Health Officer, the test conducted in June this year,
at the start of the academic year, has revealed that 1,093 students
suffer from dental caries – tooth decay, in common parlance – and
another 1,377 students suffer from worm infestation.
A
second screening test conducted in July for another set of students has
only reinforced the findings of the first test in that 1,300 students
suffer from dental caries and 2,809 students suffer from worm
infestation. The Corporation doctors screened primary, middle, high and
higher secondary school students – both boys and girls.
Following
the high prevalence of dental caries and worm infestation, the civic
body has asked the doctors to conduct awareness programme for students
and also teachers. “The doctors have told the students, teachers and
through them the parents on what the students need to do to get the two
health problems treated. They also gave medicines, wherever necessary.”
In cases where the students need to be referred to a hospital for
advanced medical care the doctors ensure that the teachers inform the
parents and the students are taken to the Coimbatore Medical College
Hospital.
There are two such cases where the students suffer from heart ailments.
The
doctors, assisted by the urban health nurses, maintain a medical record
of the students for a follow-up they will conduct after three months.
Dr. Aruna says that the doctors will conduct the medical test thrice
during an academic year.
The doctors screened
students for anaemia, jaundice, impetigo, scabies, leprosy, eyes and
visual acuity, refractive error, vitamin ‘A’ deficiency, conjunctivitis,
squint, oral cavity, cleft lip and many others.