Poor medical facilities in Maharashtra-run schools due to lack of funds, space

While most ICSE, CBSE and international board schools have medical facilities including doctors, nurses and rest rooms, state board schools paint a sorry picture in terms of readiness to handle emergencies due to lack of funds and space.

International schools even keep charts in classrooms listing students with different types of allergies so that their teacher knows exactly what to do in case of a reaction. On the contrary, most state board schools have no more than a first aid box.

Wilfred Naronha, vice principal of St Mary's School, affiliated to the ICSE board, said, "We have a first-aid room where a nurse or a doctor is always available. If the child is facing any health issue, he/she is immediately directed to the doctor for a check-up. Parents are immediately informed and the doctors check for allergies before providing medicines to the child."

Kavita Sahay, director, Vibgyor High International School, said, "We have sick bay where beds are available for children to rest and a trained nurse is present. The doctor is on call. We also have a list of names of pre-primary students in the classroom for teachers to know which child has what allergy and what precautions need to be taken with them."

State board schools are far behind in terms of preparedness. Baptist Pinto, principal of St. Mary's School, affiliated to the SSC board, feels there is no need for doctors or nurses in the premises as a hospital is just next door. "We don't have health experts in school as there is a hospital next to our school. We just have a first-aid box," he said.

Prashant Redij, spokesperson, Maharashtra State Principal Association, said, "State board schools have dearth of space. In our schools there is no resting room but if a student is ill, we make them rest in the library. But we have first-aid boxes which has all types of medicines. If there is an emergency, the student is rushed to the nearby government hospital where he/she is not charged for a check-up. If international schools provide medical facilities, they charge parents for that."