Aao School Chalen: A national project undertaken by IMA

School health is very important as schools are not just centers that impart formal education, they also influence overall development of a child. To enjoy good health during adulthood, healthy lifestyle including hygiene habits must be inculcated during childhood. These habits learned during childhood last through to adulthood and all their lives. Moreover, children are naturally inquisitive and keen learners. So, they are both beneficiaries of any health-related activity and agents of change in their family.

To this end, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has adopted “Aao School Chalen Project” initiated by Delhi Medical Association in the recent past as a National Project. The 5^th of every month has been designated for any activity related to this project.

Visit your old school if you can or any nearby school during the school assembly and interact with students and teachers to sensitize them on issues of public health importance. Speak to the principal of the school beforehand about this. It need not be long-drawn talk, but should be a short talk of 10-15 min duration. Get a certificate (proforma) signed by the Principal. Send the proforma to IMA HQs along with the photographs taken with students during assembly for records.

We have identified few topics for the coming months and there will be common points for discussion for uniformity.

The first topic for 5th August is “vector-borne diseases”. The 10 uniform messages for first lecture are as follows:

1.     Mosquito-borne diseases are preventable and manageable if detected early.

2.     Do not allow water to stagnate in or around the houses, particularly in plastic containers.

3.     Wear full sleeves clothes during monsoon season.

4.     All patients suffering from dengue, malaria, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis should use bed nets while sleeping.

5.     Treatment of malaria should be started early; it can be for 3 days or 14 days depending on the type of malaria.

6.     All patients with dengue do not require platelet transfusion.

7.     IMA Slogans: “Katwaieyga to nahi” (I hope you will not get me bitten by a mosquito) or “My premises are mosquito-free, you are invited at my premises”.

8.     Look for mosquitoes: inside or outside the house; both small and big containers, during day or night; in the room or on the roof; floor or up on the walls; larvae or the mosquito.

9.     Let all schools be declared by the principal as being mosquito-free.

10.  Let every child speak a slogan: “From now onwards my house will be mosquito free”.

The schedule of the talks is as under:

·         5^th September: Lifestyle

·         5^th October: Menstruation myths

·         5^th November: Health and Hygiene

·         5^th December: Substance Abuse

States and Local Branches of IMA are requested to circulate this information to all the members.

Since, this is a national health project, IMA requests all its members to participate to make it a success.

Dr KK Aggarwal

National President IMA & HCFI

Recipient of Padma Shri, Dr BC Roy National Award, Vishwa Hindi Samman, National Science Communication Award & FICCI Health Care Personality of the Year Award

Vice President Confederation of Medical Associations of Asia and Oceania (CMAAO)

Past Honorary Secretary General IMA

Past Senior National Vice President IMA  

President Heart Care Foundation of India

Gold Medalist Nagpur University

Limca Book of Record Holder in CPR 10

Honorary Professor of Bioethics SRM Medical College Hospital & Research Centre  
Sr. Consultant Medicine & Cardiology, Dean Board of Medical Education, Moolchand
Editor in Chief IJCP Group of Publications & eMedinewS

Member Ethics Committee Medical Council of India (2013-14)  

Chairman Ethics Committee Delhi Medical Council (2009-15)

Elected Member Delhi Medical Council (2004-2009)

Chairman IMSA Delhi Chapter (March 10- March 13)

Director IMA AKN Sinha Institute (08-09)
Finance Secretary IMA (07-08)
Chairman IMAAMS (06-07)
President Delhi Medical Association (05-06)