Monsoon diseases worry Mumbai schools

Schools are doing more than holding regular classes; they are throwing in lessons on how to stay healthy this monsoon.

Schools are doing more than holding regular classes; they are throwing in lessons on how to stay healthy this monsoon.

HT Image

“Malaria is so rampant that we decided to invite the civic body to speak to students about the disease,” said a teacher from Fort Convent School, Colaba. The civic team led by Dr Kishore Hargoli, in charge of malaria surveillance, on Thursday made a presentation on the causes of malaria and how to prevent it. Students also learned about the life cycle of the mosquito and were shown how a fogging machine works.

“We hope to make children aware about the importance of preventing mosquito breeding so that they can tell their parents,” said Hargoli.

Malaria has been affecting as many children as adults. At least six children are admitted to KEM Hospital with malaria every day. Children below five years of age are most vulnerable.

Apart from Fort Convent, schools such as Holy Name at Andheri and Billabong School at Santacruz have also conducted health awareness sessions.

“In our morning assemblies, we make students aware about monsoon illnesses and the precautions they can take,” said Father Francis Swamy, principal of Holy Name. “Health officers have had sessions with parents of all students. No one has taken ill so far.” At Billabong School in Malad, a guest speaker, Dr Bhupendra Awasthi, made a presentation on monsoon ailments and the symptoms of jaundice, cholera, malaria and other diseases for students and parents last month. On August 2, the school will conduct a session on swine flu precautions as one of its students tested positive for the virus.