In a significant step towards strengthening student welfare and on-campus medical preparedness, the Andhra Pradesh State government has decided to establish Health Care (Sick) Rooms in government schools to ensure immediate medical assistance during emergencies. The initiative, being implemented under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, aims to make schools safer and more responsive to students’ physical and mental health needs.

According to officials, the dedicated sick rooms will be made operational by the end of March, with infrastructure upgrades and medical facilities put in place on a priority basis. Each sick room will be equipped to provide basic first aid and emergency care, reducing dependence on external medical help during school hours.

As part of the plan, one large classroom in each school will be partitioned, with half converted into a sick room. In the first phase, the facility will be established in 629 schools across the State. An allocation of Rs 5 lakh per school has been sanctioned from SSA funds for creating and equipping each health care room.

The sick rooms will stock first-aid kits, essential medicines, sanitary pads, and basic medical equipment, along with provisions for safe drinking water and hand-washing stations. Separate health committees comprising school staff, health professionals, and parents will oversee maintenance and functioning.

To address growing concerns around student well-being, the programme also includes mental health support. Trained counselors will be engaged to help students cope with stress, anxiety, and emotional challenges. Schools will organise regular health awareness programmes on hygiene, nutrition, menstrual health, and common illnesses, with support from nearby hospitals. Innovative features such as a telemedicine hotline will allow schools to seek expert medical advice during emergencies. Periodic health check-ups, mock drills for injuries and allergic reactions, and the creation of digital health profiles for every student are also part of the initiative. Confirming the rollout, SSA State Project Director B. Srinivasa Rao said, “The objective is to strengthen health management at the school level.

With sick rooms in place, students can receive primary medical care immediately within school premises during emergencies.” He added that coordination with local hospitals and health departments would ensure sustained awareness and preventive care. “This initiative will not only improve safety but also promote a culture of health consciousness among students,” he said. Education officials believe the move will significantly enhance student safety, attendance, and overall learning outcomes, positioning government schools as more inclusive and child-centric spaces.