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Sharjah: The Health Promotion Department at the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah (SCFA) launched, on Monday 24 June 2019, the first phase of the “Healthy Schools” Program endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other institutions concerned about the health of children and youth.
The program is being held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah.
In a press conference held at SCFA’s theatre, the event was attended by Dr. Muhadditha Al Hashimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA), WHO’s representatives, participating institutions in the Program, strategic partners and media outlets.
In her opening remarks, Her Excellency Iman Rashid Saif, Director of the Health Promotion Department, revealed that the Health Promotion Department is the UAE’s first institution that launches “Healthy Schools” program in line with WHO’s requirements and standards. Additionally, this program is one of the outcomes of the “My Health” 7th Regional Conference, organized by the Health Promotion Department, which focused on the theme of nutrition, as a key factor in preventing chronic diseases.
Realizing Growth and Prosperity
“Healthy Schools program is a genuine translation for the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, who pays great attention to the physical and mental health of the students, as well as their proper preparation to enthusiastically face the future and to realize the success and prosperity of our people,” she added
She further continued: “This program is part of our department’s initiatives in the Year of Tolerance and it’s the outcome of our collaboration with the Royal Health Awareness Society, Jordan, WHO and the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA). It aims at enhancing and developing a healthy and safe environment at schools, that positively affect the physical, social and educational growth of students, as well as providing the important criteria for the improvement of the school environment, with a particular focus on students’ needs and the challenges they confront.”
The three-year program is targeting 112 private schools, 183926 students of private schools, nurseries and kindergarten, teaching staff, school management, parents and all relevant sectors in the Emirate of Sharjah.
Certain Criteria
The Director of Health Promotion Department explained that the program includes certain criteria for assessing school premises and its surroundings, with a particular attention to physical activity, proper nutrition, mental health of students, protection from infectious diseases, implementation of tobacco-free schools, emergency and crisis response plans, and other criteria that focus on the health and safety of students and youth in schools.
Furthermore, the program comes in pursuance of the UAE Vision 2021 in terms of reducing rates of obesity among children and youth, establishing an environment supportive to the health of school students and strengthening the communication within the school community, through fostering the relationship between the teaching and administrative staff, students and their parents on the one hand, and the community, health and education services sector on the other.
It also provides specialized programs for students’ health and wellbeing, in addition to enabling them to develop the proper healthy behaviors in order to be well-prepared for all life stages, as they are the foundation of the development process.
She noted that “Healthy Schools” program is truly reflecting the wise visions of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah in terms of making health on top of the Emirate’s social, economic and developmental agenda.
She thanked all participating entities, in particular, the Royal Health Awareness Society, Jordan, WHO and the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) for their cooperation and support, expressing her deep gratitude to strategic partners, sponsors and media outlets for backing the Health Promotion Department’s programs and initiatives.
Improving the Overall Health of Students, Families and School Staff
In a recorded speech, Dr. Ahmed bin Salem Al-Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, hailed Sharjah’s leading role in promoting society health.
He added: “Sharjah is seen a good and suitable place for healthy schools as evidenced by being classified as a healthy city by the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO welcomes this partnership and we highly appreciate the noble achievements and great support by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah.”
Al-Mandhari further continued: “Healthy schools provide a unique environment that helps children and young people develop a positive outlook on life and adopt healthy lifestyles. The WHO’s initiative aims to improve the overall health of school students and those working in schools as well as families and the entire community through schools.”
“Mortality and morbidity rates among school-age children in the Eastern Mediterranean Region reflect the urgency to strengthen health, prevention and health care services and consequently, we have prioritized this issue on the agenda of our vision 2020-2023 for public health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, which calls for the health for all and by all,” he noted.
He pointed out that WHO is accordingly collaborating with UNESCO to develop common global standards for health-promoting schools in both the educational and health sectors. We will also continue our support to member states to help them implement the new standards so as to offer world-class, quality school health services.
Sharjah’s Leading Stature
For her part, Dr. Muhadditha Al Hashimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA), said: “We are celebrating today the launch of the Sharjah Healthy School Program part of the Global School Health Initiative announced by the World Health Organization (WHO). On this day, it is my honor to thank Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, and the Health Education Department for launching this great initiative in healthcare for the benefit of the society.”
“We also value the efforts of all the officials who have contributed to the achievement of the school health project, in Sharjah, the Emirate of Science, culture, and development,” she added
She further elaborated: “We are participating in our capacity as a strategic partner in this initiative and are working in line with our vision towards improving the school health environment and upgrading the health standards for students and staff by addressing the increasing health problems, specifically the rising obesity rates among children and adolescents.”
“The launch of the initiative in Sharjah, which has been named as a WHO Healthy City, is an occasion to record our pride in the emirate’s numerous achievements and lofty landmarks that have established a solid base for a bright present and a brilliant future. Our meeting marks the leading step taken by the Emirate of Sharjah for adopting this enlightened and highly developed health perspective. Sharjah under His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, May Allah protect him, seeks to provide integrated services for its citizens, particularly healthcare services.” Dr. Al Hashimi explained.
She stated that the implementation of the methodology of the Global School Health Initiative is undoubtedly a great opportunity for assisting schools in enhancing the safety and health of students and creating healthy school communities that render students capable of planning for and implementing the process of development based on the adage ‘a sound mind is in a sound body’.
Healthy Schools: Indispensable Requirement
The representative of the Royal Health Awareness Society, Jordan, Reem Jarrar, showcased Jordan’s experience in implementing Healthy Schools program since 2008, adding that the studies and surveys conducted by Jordanian schools have shown several health issues among students. Most of which are lack of physical activity, obesity, personal hygiene, and teeth decay.
“The percentage of these unhealthy behaviors has surpassed 65%. Accordingly, the application of healthy schools’ criteria has become an inevitable need. In that sense, the Royal Health Awareness Society has adopted this initiative to shape health objectives and standards that ensure the reinforcement of healthy behaviors among students,” Jarrar noted.
She explained that the “Healthy Schools” program has been carried out in 631 schools in Jordan, highlighting that 60% of these schools obtained health accreditation. Through this program, 1960 principals and 338,705 students have been trained on various activities. Also, 100 community health initiatives have been implemented by the participating schools.
“All these figures have positively reflected in the adoption of healthy lifestyles by students including healthy nutrition and constant physical activity,” Jarrar pointed out.
In turn, Iman Turk, Health Educator at the Health Promotion Department, made a presentation on the various phases of the program, its timetable, accreditation categories and ways of their implementation, and evaluation criteria that will be adopted by schools.
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Misbar Communications
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