As many children start the new school term, parents and caregivers are encouraged to continue giving them the support they need to be healthy and thrive this year.
Schools in the province offer a unique opportunity to implement effective health services at scale and cover an important period for establishing essential healthy behaviours.
The provincial Department of Health and Wellness reminds parents and caregivers of the free childhood immunisations, school health services and mental-health support available to their children.
“I wish every learner a healthy and bright start to their 2024 academic year,” said Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, provincial health minister. “Every year our department embarks on various initiatives such as immunisations and outreach health services at our schools to maximise the well-being of our school-going learners.
“This furthers our goal to build resilient communities, which requires all of us to work together so that learners can enjoy quality basic education. Let’s continue to be invigorated in this effort as health is truly everyone’s business.”
Immunisation
Immunisations provide the best protection for children against many common but potentially serious illnesses. Over the past few years fewer children are getting routine immunisations, putting them at risk of serious disease and leaving schools vulnerable to outbreaks.
If your child is up to date with their immunisation schedule, they will already be protected against diseases like whooping cough, measles, tetanus and diphtheria throughout their school career, as most provide long-term immunity. Check your child’s Road to Health booklet or visit your nearest clinic to ensure they are up to date on all immunisations.
“Over the past few years, there was a concerning drop in routine immunisation among children in the various categories, while the uptake of the tetanus and diphtheria vaccine at age 6 and 12 remained extremely low,” Dr Hilary Goeiman, the department’s Director of Service Priorities Coordination, pointed out. “Please make time to ensure your child’s immunisations are up to date. If you have any concerns about vaccine safety please talk to a health-care worker.”
HPV vaccination
From Tuesday 6 February until Friday 15 March the department’s school health teams will visit public and special schools to administer the first dose of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and the tetanus and diphtheria booster for free.
The HPV vaccine is part of the Integrated School Health Programme. To date, two HPV injections, five to six months apart were administered to Grade 5 girls over age 10, with the necessary consent.
“The HPV vaccine is an effective way to protect young girls from the highest-risk HPV infections,” explained Sonia Botha, coordinator of the province’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation. That means they are much less likely to develop HPV-linked cancers. The vaccine is administered in the classroom at schools, making it simpler than ever to reduce your daughter’s risk of cancers caused by the virus.
School health services
Since young children are prone to many diseases, school health teams work with teachers, school governing bodies, parents and caregivers to make schools a healthy environment at both primary and secondary education levels. Where there is capacity, and with the necessary signed consent, health workers regularly assess a child’s eyesight, hearing, oral health, growth and immunisation schedule.
They also assess if a child receives good nutrition and screen for conditions of the skin, lice, scabies and physical and mental health. Parents or caregivers can rest assured school health teams will administer only health screenings and immunisations on children with parental consent.
Mental health support
Globally, it is estimated that one in seven (14%) children between age 10 to 19 experience mental-health challenges. Poor mental health can impact many areas of an adolescent’s life and the department reminded parents and caregivers that support is available.
Adolescents can access mental health care at clinics, where a trained health practitioner will provide support or refer them to a mental health practitioner. They can also dial Childline on 116 for telephonic support.
Diarrhoea and pneumonia surge
The period between November and May, generally known as Paediatric Surge Season, coincides with an increase in diarrhoea and pneumonia cases. These conditions are the biggest health risks to young children, yet they can be treated and are often preventable.
The department appealed to parents and caregivers to take advantage of services available to keep their children healthy and safe. Apart from hand washing, parents and caregivers are advised to regularly wash feeding bottles, bowls, spoons and teats before feeding young children. Departmental health-care facilities can diagnose and treat diarrhoea and a host of other illnesses affecting children.
“Diarrhoea is a highly infectious virus that thrives in hot weather,” said Delray Fourie, deputy director for Comprehensive Health Services in the Northern and Tygerberg Substructure. “Children who are malnourished, have impaired immunity or those who have missed immunisations or Vitamin A supplementation are far more likely to contract diarrhoea and may develop complications as a result, if not treated.
“We encourage parents and caregivers to ensure that their little one’s immunisations and vitamin-A supplementation are up to date. If you’ve missed an immunisation or vitamin A supplementation dose you can still visit your local clinic. Remember to take your child’s Road to Health booklet along.”
Teach good hygiene habits
Encouraging good hand-washing habits is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of infectious diseases. Diseases can spread when we do not wash hands; this can occur in adults and children.
People need to prioritise keeping their hands clean and teach littles one how to keep their hands clean to prevent the spread of germs and protect our health.
“Infection control is in your hands,” says Beatrice Groenewald, clinical programme coordinator of Child Health in the Overberg district. “Clean hands are the guardians of health by using correct hand-hygiene methods you can destroy bacteria, viruses and fungi.”
