‘Health comes first’: UAE principals hail free check-ups for students going back to school

‘Health comes first’: UAE principals hail free check-ups for students going back to school

Parents urged to take advantage of complimentary medical screenings for their children after summer vacation

Published: Fri 19 Aug 2022, 5:47 PM

Heads of schools in Abu Dhabi praised the healthcare facilities for launching wellness campaigns aimed at improving students' wellbeing ahead of their return to classrooms on August 29.

Several hospitals in the emirate are either offering free health check-ups or at discounted rates. Principals have urged parents to benefit from such health initiatives and assess the readiness of their children for classroom learning and physical activities. At a time when the UAE's daily Covid-19 cases are in a downward trend, school heads have raised concerns over students' health issues like weight gain, vision trouble, vitamin deficiency etc.

Neeraj Bhargava, principal, Abu Dhabi Indian School, noted that students tend to gain weight during summer vacation.

"Such wellness programmes for students are much needed now because parents at home have pampered them so much with good food and increased their weight. What we have observed is that weight gain has been a major issue. So, what they now require is a strict regime and, I think, school is the right place for it. Health comes first. We will try our best to provide them an