HPB Voices Reloaded
March - April 2008
Banners to announce SHS presence in schools
By MN Lim Li Hua (SHS)
They were there, the banners announcing that health check and immunisation for primary school children are provided by School Health Service (SHS), Health Promotion Board (HPB).
The SHS health teams visit the schools annually to conduct health screening and immunisation for the children. Before the start of the visit, letters and information booklets are given to the parents/guardians informing them that the SHS will be visiting their child’s school to conduct the health screening and immunisation.
After receiving feedback from a survey that the public is not aware of health services provided by School Health Service, there was a suggestion that SHS should announce its services through banners displayed in schools. The pilot project was done in January/February 2008 at 8 primary schools in the four zones: North, South, East and West. The schools were:
- EdgeField Primary
- Tanjong Katong Primary
- Jurong Primary
- Yew Tee Primary
- CHIJ (Toa Payoh) Primary
- CHIJ (Katong) Primary
- Fengshan Primary
- Huamin Primary
The display of banner created some publicity; however, the public is not allowed to enter the school to view the programme. The schools also do not allow parents to enter the school without valid reasons.
Hence, in conclusion the main purpose of the banner is only to announce that SHS health team from HPB is at the school to provide health services. For more information about SHS the parents still have to read the booklets distributed to them through the schools.