Busy medical season ahead

Beginning of new school year, approaching Hajj season

--

Manama

--

Health authorities are gearing up for a busy season this month, considering the beginning of the new school year and the approaching Hajj season.

In a recent statement to DT News, Health Minister Sadiq Al Shehabi confirmed that the ministry is sparing no effort in preparing for the new school year and Hajj, to maintain the safety of students and pilgrims.

“We have commenced intensified coordination with Education Ministry in this regard, headed by the Minister Dr. Majid Al Nuaimi. We aim at improving the School Healthcare Programme and healthcare services the ministry provides to pupils, so we can start a healthy new school year,” Al Shehabi told DT News on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the Gulf Pharma-Medical Conference.

In a recent meeting with the ministry’s Hajj Medical Committee, the Minister instructed the 46 members of the panel to serve pilgrims and ensure their well being, particularly the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases.

The panel is set to leave to Saudi Arabia on Monday, where it will be stationed to serve Bahraini pilgrims throughout the pilgrimage season. It consists of 46 medical staff, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, health inspectors and medical technicians

During the meeting, which was held on Wednesday, Al Shehabi instructed the committee members to concentrate on raising more awareness among pilgrims. He also highlighted the importance of protecting pilgrims from infectious diseases and epidemics, particularly the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and Ebola virus.

Speaking on similar lines, Assistant Undersecretary for Hospital Affairs Dr. Waleed Al Manea said, “Awareness is the first weapon used by health authorities to tackle infectious diseases.”

“We are currently promoting the cultures of cleanness, hand washing, avoiding direct contact with patients, recognising symptoms and reporting diseases to authorities. Such methods are being intensively promoted among pilgrims and students,” he explained.

Dr. Al Manea also said, “We should follow the culture of isolation. Parents should prevent their children from attending classes in case they were sick. This way they contribute in the protection of other students and limiting the spread of diseases.”

Speaking more about the ministry’s preparations for the new school year, Dr. Al Manea added, “In Bahrain, we have the School Healthcare Programme, which includes all schools in the country. The programme is responsible of organising immunisation campaigns, in addition to implementing screening processes of students of all stages. Screening includes infectious diseases, blood diseases, nutrition and vital medical checkups.”