Livingstone District Welcomes 20 New School Health Rooms, Enhancing Student Well-being and Academic Performance

The Ministry of Education has initiated the commissioning of twenty newly constructed school health rooms in Livingstone District. The aim of these health rooms is to significantly contribute to improved health service delivery in schools. They provide a dedicated space where learners can share personal health information and recover if they fall sick while on the premises, effectively reducing absenteeism and enhancing student performance.

Minister of Education Douglas Syakalima expressed the importance of these health rooms, stating that they epitomize the government's commitment to creating an enabling environment for quality education and health services. He emphasized the pivotal role of these spaces in enhancing the health and well-being of students in the area.

The collaborative effort between the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, and the technical and financial support from Healthy Learners reflects the government's dedication to ensuring that all Zambian children have access to quality education.

Syakalima pointed out the critical correlation between health and academic performance, stressing the essentiality of maintaining adequate health to prevent absenteeism or lack of attention, ensuring the benefits of education are not lost. He also urged Zambian scholars and research institutions to further explore the vital link between good health, nutrition, and quality education.

The success of the School Health Programme in various provinces, benefiting over 850,000 students, has led to increased demand in Livingstone District. This demonstrates the potential to curtail illness-related absenteeism and uplift learner performance, noted Syakalima.

Dr. Kalaluka Malungwe, the esteemed District Health Director, highlighted the ministry's commitment to ensuring accessible healthcare for the local populace. He underscored the significance of bringing healthcare services closer to the community, especially within educational institutions, stressing the importance of health provisions for children who spend a significant amount of their time in schools.

Emphasizing the commitment to ensuring healthcare opportunities are available for all age groups, Dr. Malungwe announced plans for additional facilities to support healthcare activities in the district, underlining the dedication to improving healthcare for both children and the wider community.

The recent handover of twenty newly constructed health rooms in Livingstone District marked a significant step forward in enhancing healthcare access for school children. Vice President Job Milapo of Healthy Learners expressed delight at being part of the event, emphasizing the positive impact these health rooms will bring to the region.

Veronica from the Mukuni Royal Establishment expressed profound delight at the recent handover of the twenty health rooms, emphasizing the critical role of good health in child development and acknowledging the significance of these facilities in providing healthcare services within educational institutions.

Veronica thanked the sponsors of the school health program and the government for their partnership, highlighting the importance of bringing healthcare services closer to the communities and schools. She emphasized the importance of these health rooms in providing a conducive environment and high-level confidentiality for learners seeking help and support.

The support and acknowledgment of the importance of the health rooms in Livingstone District underscored the communal efforts in nurturing and supporting the health needs of the children within educational settings.