Govt. of Gujarat, Department of Health in collaboration with Education Department started the innovative School Health Programme in 1997, wherein primary examination was done by medical officers of the primary health care system.

A State level Steering Committee, under the chairmanship of Health Minister was formed for planning School Health Program. Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary (health), Additional Chief Secretary (finance), Additional Chief Secretary (Education), Health Commissioner and Members of legislative Assembly are other members of the Steering Committee.

The Steering Committee takes important policy decisions regarding School Health Programme and decides the date as well as the time duration of the programme. Prior to the scheduled programme, start up meetings of CDHOs, CDMOs, RDDs and programme officers are called and detailed discussions held for effective implementation of the School Health Programme. Individual Medical Officers prepare Micro plans at the PHC level which include date, time and place of examination, number of schools and number of school children to be examined. District health authorities collect and compile micro plans and send the same to the state authorities for compilation and analysis.

At the state level, Health Education Bureau compiles and analyzes all Information and prepares a state level master plan, which includes the requirement of:

• Manpower
• Drugs
• IEC Materials
• Stationary
• Contingencies

Medical officers with their teams examine all school going and I.C.D.S. beneficiaries in the primary schools and anganwadis. Children with minor ailments are treated on the spot in the school. Children requiring examination by specialists are sent to the related referral centers where different medical experts like ophthalmic surgeon, physician, pediatrician, dentist, skin specialist and E.N.T. surgeons examine and treat them. Those children who require spectacles are provided the same free of cost.

Children suffering from Heart, Kidney and Cancer diseases are examined by super-specialty hospitals. Operative and other treatment are given free of cost. Transportation is also provided by the state Govt.

The state Government allocates a budget of Rs 450 lacs for School Health Programme, under plan budget. Financial assistance is provided from the Chief Minister’s relief fund for tertiary care, for children who require treatment out side the state in various tertiary care institutions.