With the beginning of the new school year, in addition to the educational process, the implementation of national programs has commenced, focusing on schools and supporting the health and well-being of children aged 6 to 14. These programs include a series of screening procedures for children, such as dental care, vision and hearing screenings, and, for the first time, a new scoliosis-screening program.
The “Mihal Grameno” School in the capital, which was visited today by Prime Minister Edi Rama along with the Minister of Health and Social Protection, Albana Koçiu, is one of the schools benefiting from these health care programs. With 850 students and 1,400 screenings conducted in one year, the school is equipped with a medical office, a vision screening room, and a dental office. For the first time, the Scoliosis Screening Program will also be introduced.
“We are here at the ‘Mihal Grameno’ school, one of the schools successfully implementing the national ‘Health in Schools’ program, through the application of a series of screening procedures for children, including dental care, vision, and hearing checks, and a new national program for scoliosis. Just last school year, we conducted 1,400 general screenings at this 800-student school, according to Minister Koçiu.
“The services we provide include first aid, screening children for infectious diseases, assisting in trauma cases, and monitoring vaccination records. We also conduct eye check-ups at the beginning of each school year. Both students and parents have received this very well. We’ve achieved significant results, identifying and addressing issues early on,” explained one of the doctors serving at the school.
Another key program is the Oral Health and Dental Care Screening Program, about which Minister Koçiu stated: “Currently, there are 208 dentists working in our schools, with around 200 dental units providing early diagnostics and guidance for children’s oral health. In just the last two years, 40 new dental offices have been added.”
This program offers periodic check-ups aimed at educating students on dental care, providing services such as fluoride treatments, plaque removal, and urgent care or treatment for soft tissue conditions.
Regarding the newest implemented program, the Scoliosis Screening Program, Minister Albana Koçiu said: “This involves screening and early diagnosis for children with scoliosis problems, starting from the age of 6 to 14. According to doctors’ advice, if caught early, the chances for rehabilitation and recovery are much higher. In collaboration with the ‘Save the Children’ program, we are working to train 200 physical education teachers who will be able to identify students needing specialized intervention from a physiotherapist or orthopedist.”
She also added, “There is a dedicated website offering guidance on healthy eating and lifestyle habits. Physical education teachers play a crucial role in this. The 200 teachers being trained will assess children early on to identify issues caused by improper posture at school or carrying heavy backpacks.”