GHMC holds health awareness drive for school students in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: To educate students on the prevention of communicable diseases and promote healthy lifestyle practices, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation’s (GHMC) Metropolitan Surveillance Unit (MSU) conducted a comprehensive health awareness programme at Mahboobia Government Girls High School on Monday.

The initiative was organised as part of the GHMC’s ongoing public health awareness campaign across the city. The awareness session was led by Dr Dhanalaxmi, Dr Shilpa Reddy, Dr Nishitha Reddy, Dr Manisha Rani and Arun. The programme focused on encouraging early health-seeking behaviour, personal hygiene and community participation in disease prevention.

During the session, students were educated on the importance of regular hand washing with soap and maintaining proper cough and sneeze etiquette to reduce the spread of infectious diseases. The officials also stressed the need for consuming safe drinking water, maintaining proper sanitation and following hygienic food practices to prevent water- and food-borne illnesses, particularly during the monsoon season and special emphasis was laid on dog-bite prevention and management.

Students were advised not to provoke stray dogs and were instructed to wash any dog-bite wound thoroughly with soap and running water for at least 15 minutes before seeking immediate medical attention. Officials cautioned against applying home remedies such as turmeric or oil and highlighted the importance of timely anti-rabies vaccination and early medical consultation following any animal bite.

The team also educated students on preventing vector-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria and chikungunya. Students were encouraged to become ‘Mosquito Prevention Champions’ by checking their homes and neighbourhoods for stagnant water that could serve as mosquito breeding sites.

They were urged to observe a weekly ‘Dry Day’ every Sunday by emptying, cleaning or covering water storage containers, flower pots, buckets and coolers, while disposing of discarded tyres, coconut shells and other items that can collect rainwater.

The use of mosquito repellents and full-sleeved clothing was also recommended.

Students were advised to take antibiotics only on a doctor’s prescription, complete the prescribed course and avoid self-medication to help prevent antimicrobial resistance (AMR).