The Ministry of Health has joined hands with the Ministry of Education to launch a comprehensive school health program ‘Aksharam Arogyam’ to ensure holistic health and well-being of the young generation of the state.
This initiative will concern all students from I to XII. classes in all government and aided schools across the state. The Ministry of Health believes that if children are properly informed about various aspects of health and can be encouraged to develop healthy habits, they will become ambassadors of good health and take the message home to their families.
As part of the Aksharam Arogyam programme, children will be screened for various health parameters and will be issued health cards evidencing their health details. These cards can later be converted to electronic health records and stored securely in the State Data Center with full privacy and data protection measures in place. Electronic health records will help in emergency situations.
All schools that join this initiative will organize “health assemblies” and “health corners” to promote healthy lifestyles and discourage unhealthy habits.
A designated teacher will act as a health mentor in each school. These teachers will undergo training based on modules jointly prepared by the departments of health and education. They will provide students with structured health education at regular intervals covering 11 topics in four key areas. School authorities will need to set aside specific time slots and facilities for teachers to provide health education.
Health education will be provided in an age-appropriate manner. The program is designed to spark children’s curiosity, lead to scientific understanding and lead to their active participation in all health-related activities and initiatives. The program is designed so that the information and awareness gathered by the students permeates their families, gaining acceptance within the families before being widely adopted by the community at large.
To ensure active student involvement, one or two students from each class will be chosen as health ambassadors to spread the health messages and information given to them by their teachers to their peers in a more engaging way.
The Ministry of Health expects this initiative to further strengthen ongoing school health initiatives such as iron and folic acid supplementation, adolescent health programs, immunization programs and menstrual hygiene initiatives.
Through Aksharam Arogyam, students and teachers will also be trained in basic first aid, which will enable them to be of assistance in medical emergencies at school or to offer immediate assistance in case of emergencies at school or at home.
This program will also help in early identification of any health problem in children and its timely solution. It is expected to contribute directly to the mental and physical well-being of children and to promote academic excellence.
Health Minister Veena George will inaugurate Aksharam Arogyam at Cotton Hill Government High School on Friday. Education Minister V. Sivankutty will preside over the function.
EOM
Published – 04 Feb 2026 20:52 IST
