In a groundbreaking initiative, the School Education Department of Balochistan has launched the province’s first-ever Health Care Centers in schools, marking a new chapter in integrating education and public health.
The program, launched under the vision of Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and Provincial Minister for Education Raheela Hameed Durrani, aims to promote public health awareness and provide practical health training to school students.
According to officials, the project’s success reflects the dedicated efforts and effective supervision of Secretary Education Asfandyar Kakar and Director School Education Akhtar Muhammad Khetran, with technical and financial support from the European Union and UNICEF.
In its first phase, the initiative has been launched in selected schools across five districts Zhob, Killa Saifullah, Pishin, Kachhi, and Gwadar.Approximately 600 students from grades 7 to 9 are enrolled in a nine-month Health Care Training Course, developed in collaboration with the Balochistan University of Medical and Health Sciences (BUMHS).
The university, led by Vice Chancellor Dr. Shabbir Lehri, has designed the course curriculum, and will oversee student registration, certification, and examinations.To ensure high-quality instruction, experienced nurses, medical officers, and health professionals have been appointed as instructors.
Each Health Care Center has been equipped with modern instruments, medical models, training kits, and digital learning materials to provide students with hands-on, world-class training.The curriculum covers a wide range of health-related topics, including Personal Hygiene(Cleanliness of body, clothes, and surroundings), Nutrition & Diet(Understanding balanced diets and healthy eating habits),Sanitation & Cleanliness(Maintaining hygiene in school and home environments),Physical & Mental Health(Adopting healthy lifestyles and mental well-being practices),Disaster Preparedness(Effective response during natural disasters and emergencies)First Aid & Emergency Care(Practical training for treating injuries, burns, and wounds),Skin Care & Diseases(Awareness and prevention of common skin conditions),Workplace Ethics(Building respect and professional conduct toward teachers, peers, and patients).
Students are also being taught how to measure blood pressure and body temperature, handle first aid in emergencies, and maintain personal and environmental hygiene.Community members and parents have welcomed the establishment of these centers, describing them as a positive step toward healthier and more active schools.
Parents noted that the initiative has increased students’ interest in school activities and improved attendance rates.Local communities have also expressed satisfaction that the Health Care Centers are not only providing awareness but also serving as basic health units for students, teachers, and nearby residents, especially in case of emergencies.Officials say plans are underway to expand the program by introducing an evening double-shift model, allowing more students particularly from remote areas to benefit from the training.
This initiative aims to instill lifelong health and hygiene habits among students while empowering them to become agents of change within their families and communities contributing to a healthier and more aware society.
