In a bid to uplift education standards, a Chikwawa based organization, Community Focus Organisation (COFO) has launched a school health program at Mantchombe Primary School, aimed at providing comprehensive health services to learners.
The programme will, among others, offer heath education, Malaria screening, skin screening, dental care, eye and ear examinations and other health services.
COFO Executive Director Joshua Malunga has told ProjectM in an interview that the organisation has partnered Chikwawa District Hospital to whose experts will be deployed to the school to offer the services.
“As COFO, we have launched this initiative to help learners focus on education because studies have shown that absenteeism as a result of health related complications among learners has always contributed to lower grades,” he said.
Malunga said learners who have underwent screening and are in need of help will receive the help on the spot.
“With this initiative, it means learners will not have to travel long distances to access medical help,” said Malunga.
COFO indicates that millions have been pumped in to support the initiative which it believes will bring positive results.
“By investing in the health and well-being of students, COFO hopes to improve their academic performance and overall quality of life,” added Malunga.
Child rights activist Rabson Woodwell-Banda has commended COFO for coming up with the initiative, saying it will help learners to focus more on education.
“With this, I believe learners will have more time for studies and eventually do better in exams,” said Woodwell-Banda.
