RIYADH: The Ministry of Education is gearing up to implement the first phase of its “school health clinic” project for 4,800 clinics in provinces and governorates at a cost of SR63 million.

A circular by Abdulrahman Al-Barrak, undersecretary designate for School Affairs, said priority would be given to schools implementing health programs. Priority would also be given to government schools with more than 300 pupils and government schools with rented buildings.

The ministry has urged the directorates in governorates and provinces to hand out financial allocations and prepare all implementation requirements, including office furniture and medical equipment.

The number of governorates and provinces approved to implement the first phase of the school health clinic reached 45, with Riyadh having 526 clinics, Jeddah 224 and the Eastern Province 279.

The project was a result of resolution 25 of the Council of Ministers, which stipulated transferring the general directorate of school heath and health units from the Ministry of Education to the Ministry of Health.

The resolution also devised the necessary requirements and regulations to enable school health from carrying out its duties, including the allocation of a school clinic for first aid that stocks all necessary medications.

The project aims to provide medical clinics (first aid rooms) in schools where the health of pupils will be checked on a daily basis to discover any illnesses or suspected infectious diseases in order to refer them to specialized authorities if necessary.

The other goals of these clinics are to recognize the victims of domestic violence, take care of emergency and nonemergency cases and offer necessary services and easy implementation of protective programs in enhancing health programs in schools.

The ministry has stipulated that schools should provide suitable places on their premises for clinics. Furthermore, the location should meet certain demands like the clinic should be on the first floor and close to the main entrance, should be well-lit and have a wash basin.