Schools play a crucial role in promoting good health habits and early screenings to mitigate the risk of lifestyle diseases and other health complications. Recognizing this, the state education department has directed all schools under its jurisdiction to set up ‘doctor-on-call’ services by partnering with nearby clinics and hospitals. The directive also state that schools must have facility of a vehicle, in case any child urgently needs to be taken to hospital.
Considering that students spend 6-7 hours daily in school, the guidelines aim to ensure schools are well-prepared to handle medical emergencies effectively. Timely first-aid interventions, as outlined in the directive, can play a crucial role in preventing serious incidents and safeguarding student health.
Under the new guidelines, schools in Maharashtra must go beyond appointing counselors by incorporating stress-relief workshops for students as part of their annual health check-ups. These workshops will be complemented by training in emergency first-aid techniques such as Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
Additionally, schools are required to maintain a well-equipped first-aid room for immediate medical care and prominently display contact numbers for nearby government hospitals, health centers, private clinics, and public ambulance services to ensure seamless coordination during emergencies, according to the notification issued by the education department.
The directive, issued in response to a Bombay High Court order from July 2024, aims to ensure that students receive immediate medical attention in case of accidents or health emergencies.
The HC’s order, which was prompted from a tragic incident in 2016 where a Kandivali college student died from injuries he had incurred in a classroom fall, highlighted the need for comprehensive medical facilities and procedures in educational institutions. The government’s new guidelines are a direct response to this judicial directive.