Health screenings for students entering school for the first time has commenced at district health centres and are being conducted by Public Health Department staff.
The free health screenings run from 5-29 June for those entering schools in West Bay and the eastern districts, while health screenings for all other students will be available at John Gray High School Medical Centre (nurse’s office) from 5 July to 18 August, the Health Services Authority has said.
The HSA said all students entering government or private schools in the Cayman Islands for the first time must have health screenings, including students entering reception programmes.
“The Education Department mandates that these screenings must be completed before the new school year begins in September,” School Health Coordinator Nurse Carvell Bailey-Able said in the statement.
She said school entry health screening is essential to identify any issues early, so children can achieve their full potential in school.
“The screening includes a growth and development assessment, screening for vision and hearing, a dental assessment, administering necessary immunizations, and obtaining a student’s medical history,” the statement said.
Bailey–Able reminded that parents and guardians need to accompany children to the health screening and they should bring the child’s immunisation record.
Appointments can be made at the school the child will be attending.
“Vaccines will be offered to children whose immunisations are not up-to-date. A health screening certificate will then be issued, which is to be taken to the child’s school,” Bailey-Able added.
Parents can also have their child’s health screenings done by a private doctor as long as that doctor completes the school health screening forms provided by the Public Health Department.
Completed forms should be handed in at the John Gray High School Medical Centre (nurse’s office) between 5 July and 18 Aug., between 8:30am and 4:30pm.
Outside of these dates, the HSA said the forms can be taken to the Cayman Islands Hospital’s Public Health Clinic (Smith Road Centre).
Once the record has been received, a health screening certificate will be issued, which must then be taken to the school the child will enter in September.
In Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, appointments for school entry screenings can be made by contacting Public Health Nurse Kedine Hyde at Faith Hospital at 948-2243/244-7643.
Detailed information sheets for parents and guardians are available at the schools. For more information Nurse Bailey-Able can be contacted at 244-2735 and 244-2648.
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