Information dissemination on National School Health Policy still a challenge- decry activists

(Centre) Seif Jira DAYO Chief Executive Officer  flanked by Enos and Muganda from the same organisation 

 By Peter Kombe

Activists in Mombasa County have decried lack of information dissemination in the implementation of the National School Health Policy.

According to the human rights crusaders dozens of parents are unaware of their responsibilities in the implementation of the health policy.

Speaking to Pwani Media Network on Friday Gaitano Muganda Ndalo, a Dream Achievers Youth Organization sexual reproductive health officer said as per the review of the national school health policy indicates that 33 per cent of the schools in Kenya had an access to the copies of the 2009 health policy.

He says the review shows that 22 percent of all the schools had had an access to the policy guidelines.

“Dissemination of information is a big challenge. Most parents are not aware of their responsibilities in the implementation of the policy” Muganda insisted

The DAYO official cites dissemination of the policy still remains a challenge.

He urged the government to allocate more resources in schools in order to address the some of the existing challenges.

“I think the government should allocate more resources to address some of the existing gaps” he noted

He also called on cooperation between various stakeholders including non state actors in the implementation of the national school health policy.

“What we need to do is join hands as community soldiers, we need combined efforts so that we can fully implement this policy” the activist stated

On her part, Irene Randu a DAYO board member says the there is a need for the government to conduct civic education on the school health policy in schools.

The activist says water, hygiene and sanitation should be prioritized both in public and private schools.

“Water, sanitation and hygiene is compulsory in all schools. Our girls require our care and we have to ensure that they are secure” Ms Irene noted

She argues that there is a need for the government to allocate adequate resources in a bid to address the current gaps.

Ms Irene is of the opinion that the girl child is currently undergoing through challenges including among others being overburdened with household chores.

“The government should come out and allocate more resources. What we have seen is girls are not normally given the opportunity to go to school. They are normally over burdened” she said 

Mark Ominde, a Mshomoroni resident says he has never heard of the national school health policy.

He is calling on the relevant ministries to address the issue of teenage pregnancy in public schools.

 “A lot of civic education is required. This is serious. Most of us do not know what the policy entails” he said

According to Ominde the relevant ministries have been silent on the health of school goers.

The goal of the NSHP is to enhance the quality of health in school communities by creating a healthy and child friendly environment for teaching and learning.

Enos Opiyo facilitating a group discussion on NSHP on Friday
Its guiding principles include among others: access to health and nutrition services, non discrimination, equity, equality, privacy and confidentiality among others.

The 2018 NSHP is set for a launch this year.

                              

 A group discussion in progress at the Bliss Hotel on Friday