Sokoto, Oct. 18, 2024 (TheGavel) – The Productive Community for Sustainable Development Initiative (PCSDI), an NGO, has called on the Sokoto State government to fully implement the National School Health Policy (NSHP) to enhance the well-being and development of students in the state.
During an advocacy roundtable with key stakeholders on Friday in Sokoto, Mr. Nura Suleiman, Executive Director of PCSDI, emphasized the critical role the NSHP plays in ensuring the health and development of children. The NGO, founded in collaboration with Plan International and supported by the Canadian Government, is focused on advocating for policies that benefit children’s health and education.
“This policy is well-outlined, but it continues to be neglected in our system, negatively affecting our children,” Suleiman stated. “If fully implemented, the policy will meet the needs of everyone by improving the health standards of our children, enabling them to acquire the knowledge necessary to take on future responsibilities.”
Suleiman further urged the state government to prioritize the reactivation of school clinics and dispensaries to facilitate the policy’s execution. He highlighted the inadequacy of current practices, saying, “It is unacceptable that when a student falls ill in school, the management has to call the parents to rush the child to the hospital without any first aid care.”
Malam Dahiru Gada, Director of Advocacy at the Sokoto State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SSPHCDA), praised the initiative and described the policy’s implementation as a vital step towards improving health standards in schools. “We believe that by working together, stakeholders can achieve significant progress. As the implementing agency, we will continue to support partners in reaching this goal for the benefit of our people,” Gada said.
Dr. Bala Gadanga, the facilitator of the meeting, noted that the policy could significantly enhance the learning environment and health of schoolchildren, adding, “The policy is clear and serves as an essential tool in meeting the needs of our schools and ensuring global health standards.”
Representatives from the Ministries of Basic and Secondary Education, Health, Budget and Economic Planning, and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) pledged their commitment to ensuring the success of the advocacy and the implementation of the NSHP in Sokoto.(NAN)
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