Integrating Health Education with Formal Schooling for Human Development in Jammu and Kashmir
In a significant move to enhance human development in Jammu and Kashmir, Tarang Health Alliance and the SKUAST-K Innovation, Incubation, and Entrepreneurship Centre have partnered to advocate for the integration of health education into formal schooling systems. This collaboration aims to promote structured school-based health education initiatives across the region.
During a webinar organized by Tarang Health Alliance in conjunction with Fijeeha and ACTION (Alliance for Change, Transformation & Innovation), Dr. Rahul Mehra, India’s National Representative for the UNESCO Chair on Global Health & Education and Executive Chairman of Tarang Health Alliance, emphasized the critical need for education and health to work hand in hand to unleash long-term human potential.
Dr. Mehra highlighted the profound impact of poor health on children’s educational outcomes, stating that “Education cannot fulfill its true potential if students enter classrooms burdened by early childhood health issues.” He emphasized that health education in schools lays the groundwork for improved learning outcomes, enhanced resilience, and overall productivity in life.
Addressing the prevalent health challenges in the region, Dr. Mehra pointed out that a significant portion of women aged 15-49 in Jammu and Kashmir suffer from anemia, a condition that severely affects maternal and child health. Maternal anemia often leads to malnutrition and stunted growth in children, with approximately 25-30% of children under five being impacted. These early health setbacks are closely associated with impaired cognitive development, poor academic performance, and limited lifetime earnings.
