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'Muskaan'... A School Health Initiative By Karuna Healthcare
Healthy children are the foundation of a healthy society. Hence, Karuna has come forward with 'Muskaan', which is a Holistic Health Program for Children. This will be a small portion of the Corporate Social Responsibility of Karuna Healthcare. We wish to work in association with other NGOs and groups such as Rotary, Lions and Red Cross who are already in the field of community health. Schools represent a concentrated locus of children's activities where they receive knowledge as well as mentoring for their lives. As our first establishment is at Maharajgunj, we would like to address the schools in the vicinity first and then gradually take this further to other parts of the city of Kathmandu.
General Aspects:
1. Both Physical and Mental Health will be addressed. Ailments such as Asthma, Allergies, Recurrent sickness, Poor immunity, Poor physical and mental growth, Skin diseases, Nutritional disorders, Obesity, Anxiety, Low Confidence, Depression, Behavioral disorders, Learning Disability, Poor memory and concentration, Autism and Hyperactivity will be especially addressed.
2. 'Muskaan' will need involvement of teachers as well as parents as children by themselves may not be able to clearly judge and give adequate information.
3. The stages of 'Muskaan' will be as follows:
a. Introduction and Induction
b. General Health Screening
c. Detailed Health Evaluation
d. Individualized Treatment
e. Follow-up and Review
f. Statistical Evaluation and Reforms
Stages:
a. Introduction and Induction: During this stage, we will address the children in groups of ages 4-7 years, 7 to 11 years, and 11 to 14 years. The respective classes can be assembled together for the same. During these seminars, children will be educated about Health, Nutrition, Habits, Hygiene, Optimism, Healthy emotions and techniques that can help them study better. This session will also help us to develop rapport with the children and understanding their level of understanding and involvement.
b. General Health Screening: At the end of the seminar, the children and teachers will be given a short and easy questionnaire to fill-up. This will give a general idea of the health status of the school children as a group and their level of understanding about the importance of health.
c. Detailed Health Evaluation: During this, a questionnaire needs to be filled up by the parents. This will explain the details of each disease suffered by the child, vaccinations, nutrition, habits, behavior and emotional state of the child. Based on these questionnaires, the parents and teacher will be guided to the issues that play an important role in the child's health and how they have to be resolved. It may be a often be a guideline towards how to manage a child's moods or what to correct in his diet or how to talk to him or what kind of treatment will best suit the child's disease.
d. Individualized Treatment: During this, each child whose parents consent to go ahead with the treatment shall meet the doctor in person along with the parents (especially the mother). The case is taken in details on Homoeopathic principles which helps understand the physical and mental make-up of the child right up to his core. Based on the evaluation of the case, the Integrated Treatment Protocol is designed that will best help the child to regain and maintain his health and harmony. The treatment will be offered at exceptionally low cost.
e. Follow-up and Review: The children of the school are reviewed from time to time to check if they are implementing the principles taught to them during the induction. Also, for the children taking treatment, it would be a detailed follow-up of the effect of the treatment on his health.
f. Statistical Evaluation and Reforms: The statistics generated through 'Muskaan' will help to evaluate the state of physical and mental health of the children of the society. The conclusion of this evaluation will help the authorities to introduce and develop reforms that will help elevate the general health of the population.
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