Dear Ghana Education Service,
Three years ago, I wrote a missive highlighting the urgent need for the inclusion of First Aid Proficiency programs in all schools in Ghana. This initiative, I believe, is a critical step toward ensuring the health and safety of all students.
Today, even though the predominant issue militating against the educational system straddles from the issue of schools under trees, poor nutrition in various senior schools, I write to you a plea from the tangent of health, on the establishment of a comprehensive and deliberate policy on the provision of sick bays in schools, starting from primary through to junior high and senior high schools.
The current system for managing health conditions in schools is arbitrary and lacks uniformity. This inconsistency puts students’ health at risk, as there is no standard procedure for addressing various medical conditions that may arise during school hours. It is essential to create a structured and consistent approach to health care within our educational institutions.
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What is a Sick Bay?
A sick bay is a designated area within a school where students can be observed, receive first aid, medication, and, if necessary, wait for collection by a parent or emergency contact. Currently, sick bays are exclusive to senior high schools, leaving younger students without immediate access to essential medical care.
The Need for an Asthma Programme in All Schools
Asthma is a common chronic condition that can be life-threatening if not managed properly. A school asthma program ensures that:
- Asthma records are maintained for each student with asthma in a central and easily accessible location
- Asthma first aid posters are displayed prominently at vantage points
- Asthma medications are readily available to students who need them for relieve
- All form masters and class teachers are familiar with and have a copy of the Asthma Action Plan for each student.
Inclusion of a Diabetes Policy and Protocol
Just as a policy on Asthma care is crucial – Diabetes deserves same attention. A diabetes policy should include:
- Clear guidelines for monitoring and supporting students with diabetes.
- Training for all staff on recognizing and responding to diabetic emergencies (example hypoglycemia – what is called low sugar levels)
- Protocols for administering insulin and other necessary medications.
Key Recommendations
To effectively implement a comprehensive sick bay system in all schools, I recommend the following:
1. Clear Staff Protocols: Establish clear protocols for the observation, discharge, monitoring, and reporting of students in the sick bay.
2. Yearly CardioPulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Training for All Staff: Ensure that all school staff receive annual CPR training to respond to cardiac emergencies.
3. Yearly Asthma Training: Provide annual training for staff on managing asthma, including the use of asthma medications and emergency response.
4. Yearly Diabetes Training: Offer annual training on diabetes management, including recognizing symptoms of high and low blood sugar and administering insulin.
5. Parental Involvement:Parents must be aware of and keep schools informed about their children’s medical conditions. Schools should maintain open communication with parents regarding health issues.
6. National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Subscription: Ensure that every student is primarily subscribed to the NHIS. This should be compulsory as it eases the financial barrier when students are transported to health facilities for secondary care.
7. Centralised health platform for all schools: A Regional WhatsApp page where all schools resident nurses share information on emergencies or health issues requiring team work.
8. Inclusion of Pharmaceutical care in Sick Bay Management: Align with the Pharmaceutical society of Ghana 🇬🇭 for each school to be assigned a Pharmacist who will ensure regular supply and availability of critical medicines.
In conclusion, the establishment of a deliberate policy on sick bays in schools is not just a necessity but a moral obligation to safeguard the health and well-being of our students. I humbly urge the Ghana Health/Education Service to consider these recommendations and work towards creating a safe and supportive environment for our children to thrive academically and health-wise.
Sincerely,
Sekyi- Brown Reginald
Pharmacist. Global and Public Health Advocate.
The views expressed in this article are solely the views of the writer. The Accra Times assumes no responsibility or liability for any views expressed in it.