Rwanda: Back to School - the Health Checks Parents Should Not Skip
[New Times] With the new school term set to begin on September 7, health experts are urging parents to have their children undergo basic health checks before returning to class, saying routine assessments can identify problems that may affect their growth, concentration and performance at school.
As the new school term is set to commence on September 7, health authorities are urging parents to ensure their children undergo basic health checks before returning to class. Routine assessments can help detect issues that may hinder a child's growth, concentration and academic performance.
Private Kamanzi, chairman of the Rwanda Nutritionists Society, emphasizes the importance of assessing a child's nutritional status, particularly for younger children who are more susceptible to malnutrition. He recommends taking children's weight and other measurements to establish a baseline for monitoring changes over time. For younger children, health checks should look for stunting, wasting, obesity, and deficiencies in key nutrients such as iron, zinc, and vitamin A.
For older children, Kamanzi advises monitoring their weight, as weight loss during the school term may go unnoticed if no measurements are taken before they return to school. Kamanzi also urges parents to inform schools about any food allergies their children may have and seek advice from a health facility if necessary.
Dr. Eric Niyongira, a medical doctor, highlights that the start of a school term offers one of the few reliable opportunities for the health system to reach children. Routine health checks can identify conditions that are often simple to treat but can adversely affect a child's school performance if left untreated. Conditions like poor vision, hearing loss, dental pain, anaemia, and intestinal worms can significantly impact a child's ability to learn if not addressed promptly.
Niyongira also stresses the importance of ensuring children's vaccinations are up to date and that their health insurance is active. For children with chronic conditions like asthma, epilepsy, sickle cell disease, or diabetes, a pre-term check-up can help establish a clear health plan and ensure that the school knows how to manage emergencies. In boarding schools, screening protects the entire dormitory, not just one individual child.
Samuel Mbagoroziki, an oral health advocate, warns that dental issues, if left untreated, can cause pain, difficulty eating, and sleeping, ultimately affecting a student's concentration and attendance. He advises parents to take their children for dental check-ups before the school year begins, as regular check-ups can help identify and treat problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, and infections early on.
Mbagoroziki emphasizes the importance of proper oral hygiene practices, including brushing teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between teeth, and limiting the consumption of sugary foods and drinks.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
