Risk of NCDs among schoolchildren on the rise

by Carol Aloysius

Some schoolchildren face the risk of contracting non communicable diseases (NCDs) at an early age, a health spokesman told the Sunday Observer.

All Island Public Health Inspectors' Union Treasurer D.Y.S.R. Mudalige said, "We now see a risk group for various NCDs emerging among our schoolchildren. Unless they change their diets and lifestyles, they will develop diseases such as diabetes, heart, hypertension and kidney problems early in life".

He said that obesity and malnutrition among schoolchildren were also on the increase followed by dental caries. "There are many schoolchildren with infectious diseases probably due to the rains and extreme heat these days", he said.

These disturbing health problems, surfaced during the School Health Programs conducted throughout the year in all schools by the PHIs with the Medical Officers of Health of the areas, he said. "This is the main duty of our PHIs.

The students targeted for this programs are those in Grades 1,4,7 and 10 following a Health Ministry directive.

These ongoing full-day programs pay special attention to the physical, mental and nutritional status of the students. The students are given a thorough physical examination, dewormed, vaccinated, weighed and measured.

Parents are invited to attend these programs and advised on any shortcomings in the nutritional status or any other physical problems their child may have", he said.