The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) trained more the 150 nurses and employees in a number of primary schools on the methods to apply the Asthma Friendly School Program 2017/2018.
The Asthma Friendly School program targets students with asthma between six and 12 years of age and is being applied in 122 health-promoting schools.
This takes place in partnership with the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC).
Head of Non-Communicable Diseases department at MoPH Dr. Kholoud Al Mutawa said despite that asthma is non-curable, however, it can be controlled by receiving medical services and improving the living conditions of the sick child.
She added that the program aims to activate six important strategic goals for asthma, which includes establishing and supporting the Asthma Friendly School in Qatar Program.
It also aims to provide mental and general health services for students with the disease, focuses on raising health awareness by providing health education programs for students and school staff, provides a safe and healthy school environment by reducing the irritants of an asthma attack, provides asthmatic students with enjoyable and safe activities in the field of physical education and stimulates interaction between school, family and society, she added.
Dr. Al Mutawa said that in order to achieve those goals, the Non-Communicable Diseases department works with a number of partners in the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, HMC and PHCC, to reduce the number of patients and improve the lives of sick students, in coordination with the efforts of schools, families and the society to improve the students’ situation and reduce the absence rates for asthmatic students.
Head of Asthma Friendly School in Qatar Program Dr. Maya Al Sheiba said the program is a unique learning experience designed to allow asthmatic students to make the most of the available medical potential and live in a supportive natural environment that helps them develop their skills and improve their quality of life.
She said it also helps to prepare all students and staff to respond to asthma emergencies as they occur. The program involves training school staff and teachers on the basics of asthma, asthma management and follow-up of chronic conditions. It also includes activities to educate parents, teach students about the basics of asthma, how to control the condition, identify signs of attack, and how to help a person with an attack, she added.
