Health Ministry announces guidelines for New School term

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs of Saint Lucia shared the health guidelines for the new School term, January-March 2024.

The guidelines are shared by the Ministry with the motto of providing an opportunity to remind the parents of their children to be observant and updated with the latest health information in order to reduce the spread of infectious diseases.

The steps that need to be followed to prevent and control the spread of infection are:

1. Encourage the child to wash their hands frequently before and after eating, while using the washroom, and while playing outside.
2. Cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting surfaces and limiting the sharing of personal belongings.
3. By teaching the child to cough and sneeze in their elbows or into a tissue.

The Ministry has asked all the parents to ensure that their child has hand sanitiser, disinfectant wipes and a bottle of hand soap when attending the school. By involving the child in the process to instil a sense of responsibility and ownership. The parents are also asked to encourage their children to get a sufficient night’s sleep, eat nutritious meals, get enough physical activity and practice good oral hygiene to keep their bodies fit and healthy.

While emphasizing the eating habits of the children, the Ministry asked the parents to provide a daily supply of water so that the child remains hydrated. They asked to add seasonal fruits and vegetables to encourage the healthy eating habits of the children. It is to be noted, that it was also mentioned by the Ministry that the parents, while preparing lunch bags for their children, should limit the packaged snacks and the sugar sweetened beverages for the betterment of the health of the people.

One of the guidelines shared by the Ministry states “If the child develops symptoms including coughing, runny nose, sore throat, fever, vomiting or diarrhea, seek medical help and do not send the child to school until the symptoms have resolved. Reinforce the idea that those measures are in place to protect their health and the well-being of others.”

The Ministry also asked to ensure that the proper medications must be provided to the child as prescribed and should follow the advice of the medical professionals.

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs asked the parents/guardians, teachers, principals, caregivers, auxiliary staff and students to be protective and attentive about the guidelines and wished everyone a happy, prosperous and productive new year.