Abu Dhabi: Schools screen students for early detection of blindness and scoliosis – News

Physical examinations will be conducted for students in grades 1-12, including annual and general examinations

Photo: Wamm

The Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) has announced the continuation of a medical screening programme for students in the emirate.

The Student School Screening Program is for early detection of illness in students in grades 1-12.

Dr Omniyat Al Hajri, Executive Director of Community Health, said: “At the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, we are promoting early human health, and early detection of disease is an important and essential step in overcoming the barriers to exacerbation of disease.”

ADPHC works with the emirate’s education authorities and parents to conduct early screening of students in two parts.

The first is an annual screening, offered to students in grades 1 to 12, that includes weight, height, weight, vital signs and vision checks.

The second part includes a comprehensive examination and is offered exclusively to students in grades 1, 5 and 9. These tests include reviewing the student’s medical history, performing a physical exam, vision (color blindness), hearing, scoliosis (curvature of the spine), blood and dental exams.

“The school screening programme is part of the centre’s strategic plan to protect students’ health at the school level in partnership with education authorities and parents,” added Dr Al Hajri.

Over the past few years, 361 schools in the emirate of Abu Dhabi have participated in the program. ADPHC said it would continue to roll out a series of programmes aimed at instilling a culture of public health in students from an early age.

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