Introduction:
School health check-ups provide an ideal platform to detect and diagnose health problems early on in children. They also seek to educate the child on matters relating to health, hygiene and sanitation. Periodic health-checks therefore contribute in keeping the child healthy and fit.

School health check-ups were started by GMRVF in July 2002, in the government schools in Rajam and are conducted regularly ever since. GMRVF also conducts periodic health check-ups in the Bala Badis and Anganwadis with which it is associated.

Objectives:

• Promotion of positive health and prevention of diseases.
• Early detection, diagnosis, treatment & follow-up of ailments.
• Creating of health awareness among children.
• Counseling parents on keeping their wards healthy.

Process:
Medical check-ups are organised in government schools and Bala Badis that the Foundation works with. Some of the common ailments identified during these check-ups have been nutrition related. Dental, ear, skin, heart and eye ailments are the other problems detected during the check-ups.

Students detected with health problems are then sent to medical camps and hospitals for treatment. Additionally, parents are also provided counseling to help them take better care of their children’s health.

Achievement/ strengths:
It has been found that education and counseling of students and parents on health related issues helps in promoting the overall well-being of the child and his family. These camps have helped in the timely detection, diagnosis and treatment of health problems of several children in the schools and Bala Badis.