Adolescent girls health programme planned

Focal persons nominated for pilot project in schools

LAHORE:

A delegation of provincial education sector leaders agreed with the University of Health Sciences (UHS) on Tuesday to launch a pilot project for adolescent girls' health in Lahore's schools.

The delegation led by CM Education Task Force Chairman Muzammil Mehmood was presented the university's Comprehensive Guidebook on Adolescent School Health Services by Vice Chancellor Professor Ahsan Waheed Rathore.

The guidebook outlines structured health education modules for students aged 10 to 19, focusing on nutrition, menstrual hygiene, reproductive health, mental well-being, digital safety, and prevention of risky behaviours.

The guidelines are aligned with national and international adolescent health frameworks.

It was agreed to implement the guidelines in selected girls' schools of Lahore as a pilot project.

Focal persons were nominated to finalise a health education curriculum and training plan for teachers and school health teams.

Professor Rathore said schools were the first platform for preventive and promotive health services. "By introducing structured health education, we can empower our girls with the knowledge and confidence they need to lead healthier lives. This will also reduce absenteeism and dropouts linked to preventable health problems," he noted.

He added that a UHS project on adolescent girls' reproductive health was already addressing critical gaps and the school-based initiative would expand its outreach.