Give children a healthy term
May 17, 2005
CHILDREN are preparing to return to school and many parents are sweating it out with the requirements - food, drinks, clothes. But have you thought of the health component of what you buy for your child?
By Paul Semugoma
CHILDREN are preparing to return to school and many parents are sweating it out with the requirements - food, drinks, clothes. But have you thought of the health component of what you buy for your child?
Why a health check?
The health of children is as important as, if not more than, school fees. Children should be healthy enough to start school, read, develop physically and finish the term without problems. You do not want to interrupt your busy schedule with an emergency call from school.
What to do?
It starts with you. Take the time to consider their health individually. Then take them to a doctor. Some schools provide a checklist, but you have also to note any notable illnesses in the last few months, or any changes in behaviour that may have worried you.
The doctor may do a physical examination and recommend laboratory tests and drugs. More than likely, they will be fine.
Temptations to dodge it or ask a quack doctor to fill and stamp the school form are high. But in the end, you are the loser.
Packing for school
Some schools have no strict guidelines on what foods you may not pack for your child. But a parentshould not prepare junk foods. Pack long lasting eats like roasted groundnuts, maize, soya and simsim, which provide proteins and energy. Cover them in air-tight containers. Junior may love cakes, sweets and bread, but these will go bad fast. If you have an adolescent daughter, make sure you pack sanitary pads. You should have been closer to her during this holiday to discuss sexual hygiene. Even where the school has not asked for it, it is more practical to provide a well fitting, treated mosquito net than drugs for malaria. Keep all medicines out of reach of a child. Medicines, even common ones like paracetamol (panadol), are poisonous when taken incorrectly. If medicines are packed, hand them over to the school nurse.
Support at school
Make sure the child knows the rules. In most schools, they are told to inform the matron, an older child, or a prefect. But does your child know this and will this child approach them when sick? Knowing about the school policy for any sick child, the presence or absence of a sickbay, how it is staffed, and what would be done in case of emergency, is important not only for the child, but also for you. Does the school have your current phone number and an alternate number?
The special case
For the child with a health problem like allergies, it is important you are up-to-date with the treatment. Get the necessary documents and enough medicines for the child for the term.
Leave the drugs with the school nurse. Remind the matron or warden of the special case.
The writer is a
medical doctor
CHILDREN are preparing to return to school and many parents are sweating it out with the requirements - food, drinks, clothes. But have you thought of the health component of what you buy for your child?
Why a health check?
The health of children is as important as, if not more than, school fees. Children should be healthy enough to start school, read, develop physically and finish the term without problems. You do not want to interrupt your busy schedule with an emergency call from school.
What to do?
It starts with you. Take the time to consider their health individually. Then take them to a doctor. Some schools provide a checklist, but you have also to note any notable illnesses in the last few months, or any changes in behaviour that may have worried you.
The doctor may do a physical examination and recommend laboratory tests and drugs. More than likely, they will be fine.
Temptations to dodge it or ask a quack doctor to fill and stamp the school form are high. But in the end, you are the loser.
Packing for school
Some schools have no strict guidelines on what foods you may not pack for your child. But a parentshould not prepare junk foods. Pack long lasting eats like roasted groundnuts, maize, soya and simsim, which provide proteins and energy. Cover them in air-tight containers. Junior may love cakes, sweets and bread, but these will go bad fast. If you have an adolescent daughter, make sure you pack sanitary pads. You should have been closer to her during this holiday to discuss sexual hygiene. Even where the school has not asked for it, it is more practical to provide a well fitting, treated mosquito net than drugs for malaria. Keep all medicines out of reach of a child. Medicines, even common ones like paracetamol (panadol), are poisonous when taken incorrectly. If medicines are packed, hand them over to the school nurse.
Support at school
Make sure the child knows the rules. In most schools, they are told to inform the matron, an older child, or a prefect. But does your child know this and will this child approach them when sick? Knowing about the school policy for any sick child, the presence or absence of a sickbay, how it is staffed, and what would be done in case of emergency, is important not only for the child, but also for you. Does the school have your current phone number and an alternate number?
The special case
For the child with a health problem like allergies, it is important you are up-to-date with the treatment. Get the necessary documents and enough medicines for the child for the term.
Leave the drugs with the school nurse. Remind the matron or warden of the special case.
The writer is a
medical doctor