The Health and Population Ministry announced Thursday that 8.6 million elementary school students across Egypt have been examined as part of an early-detection health campaign called for by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in November.
Sisi’s initiative to detect diseases, such as anemia, obesity and stunting, are meant to protect the health and safety of students.
The initiative targets all elementary school students, Egyptians and non-Egyptians alike, said Health Ministry spokesman Hossam Abdel Ghaffar.
It covers 30,000 government and private schools, he also said, adding that the campaign should last until the end of the current school year in Egypt.
He made it clear that the initiative is conducted in cooperation with the Education and Technical Education Ministry.
Students who test positive for anemia, obesity or stunting are referred to the different health insurance clinics for further examination and to receive necessary medication for free, the spokesman explained.
Those students also receive follow-up cards to be able to get periodical checkups at the clinics, he said.
