by Carlena Knight
With just a few days to go until the start of the new school year, one health official
is admonishing parents/guardians to ensure that while they are checking off those
book lists, the physical well-being of their children is not neglected.
Head of the Pediatric Unit at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre (SLBMC) Dr.
Shivon Belle Jarvis, while speaking on state media on Tuesday highlighted the
need for students to continue specific hygiene routines.
So, we are not doing away with hand washing. Even though we have moved a
little bit away from COVID-19, handwashing is still key. After you use the
bathroom, before you eat, once your hands are visibly dirty, those are key times for
handwashing, Dr. Belle-Jarvis explained.
We are going to remind our parents of the do’s and don’ts.
If your little one is sick please don’t send him to school. For one, we want our
children to operate at their best, and if they are unwell, they are not going to do
that; and secondly, we do not want to put other children at risk, she added.
Moving away from providing sugary beverages and processed food, and providing
more nutritious snacks, was another area Dr. Belle-Jarvis said must be addressed.
She suggested that parents could find more creative ways of making food like
fruits and vegetables more appealing.
‘We want to use fruits that are colorful. We want to use fruits that are seasonal and
guess what, it’s not just about the lunch kit, it’s about at home too. Throughout the
day, children should actually have five servings of fruits and vegetables.
Water is what they should drink when they are thirsty, and so, we want to
integrate that as well, she said.
The right kind of backpack, according to Dr. Belle-Jarvis is also key.
You notice that the bags are getting bigger and heavier, so the bags should have
broad straps. The child should not carry any more than 10-20 percent of their
weight in their backpack because the heaviness of the bag can lead to back pain
and misalignment of the spine, so if the bag is heavier than that, then you need to
use the pullies, Belle-Jarvis advised.
Where immunization was concerned, Dr. Belle-Jarvis spoke specifically to school
administrators, beckoning them to ensure that children are up to date with their
vaccinations.
Adequate rest and establishing a sleep schedule were also mentioned.
She stated that parents need to do away with the practice of only bringing their
children to the doctor when sick. According to the medical official, wellness
checks should be done at least once per year.
The 2023-2024 academic year is slated to begin on Monday, September 4.
