Govt. to strengthen school health services

Zambia has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening school health services through closer collaboration between education and health sectors, as Malawi begins a peer-learning visit to study the country’s approach. Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary for Technical…

Zambia has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening school health services through closer collaboration between education and health sectors, as Malawi begins a peer-learning visit to study the country’s approach.

Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Kelvin Mambwe says the health and education of children cannot be treated as separate issues because learners who are unwell may struggle to fully participate and benefit from lessons.

 Dr Mambwe was speaking in Lusaka when he welcomed a delegation from Malawi undertaking a South-to-South learning exchange on school health.

He said Zambia considers school health a shared responsibility involving the Ministries of Education, Health, Community Development and Social Services, among other stakeholders.

Malawi Director of Inclusive Education and School Health and Nutrition in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Virginia Kachigunda, commended the Zambian Government for implementing the Health Learners Programme in schools.

Ms. Kachigunda said the Malawi delegation is in Zambia to learn how the programme is implemented, assuring that Malawi has guiding strategies and policies to support the implementation of the Health Learners Programme in schools.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Donor Coordination, George Sinyangwe, said Zambia is strengthening partnerships between the health and education sectors to improve access to healthcare for school-going children.

Dr Sinyangwe said schools provide an important point of contact for identifying children with preventable or treatable health conditions that may affect their academic performance.

He said early identification and treatment of such conditions will enable learners to continue their education and become productive members of society.