Govt launches school health programme under Ayushman Bharat

Union Government has launched a School Health Programme under Ayushman Bharat-Health & Wellness Centers.

About the School Health Ambassador Initiative

• The initiative has been jointly rolled out by Ministries of Health & Family Welfare and Human Resource Development.
• It will help to teach skills ranging from emotional wellbeing, mental health, and interpersonal relationships to values and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
• The first phase of implementation will be in all the public upper primary, secondary and senior secondary schools of aspirational districts.
• Subsequently, remaining districts will be taken up in the second year.
• The initiative will be effectively linked with other government initiatives such as Fit India movement, Eat Right campaign, Poshan Abhiyaan for an all-round and holistic development model of health for the school children etc.

Features of the initiative

• Under the initiative, two teachers will be selected as Health and wellness ambassadors in public schools to raise awareness about preventive health aspects.
• These ambassadors will receive support from class monitors, who will serve as Health and Wellness Messengers.
• The health and wellness ambassadors will spread awareness regarding preventive health by organising culturally sensitive activity sessions for one hour every week for 24 weeks in a year to promote joyful learning.
• The ambassadors will be trained by the National Resource Group that was constituted by the National Council of Educational Research and Training.

About Ayushman Bharat

• It has been launched in 2018 under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• The aim of Ayushman Bharat is to provide universal health care to the poor, needy and vulnerable sections of the country which covers both prevention and health promotion.

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