The work of the programme “Health care interventions for Roma children: prevention, health treatment, access to the NHS” in September

Filling In Student’s Individual Health Cards in schools of Attica:

Now that the school year has started, the scientific team of the “Global Health-Disaster Medicine” postgraduate studies programme of the School of Medicine of the NKUA was by the students’ side to provide paediatric assessment and fill in the Student’s Individual Health Cards, so that all students will be able to participate in the PE course and integrate smoothly into school life.

• 11^th Kindergarten of Acharnes

On Tuesday 19^th September 2023, the scientific team of the “Global Health-Disaster Medicine” postgraduate studies programme visited the 11^th Kindergarten of Acharnes to fill in the Individual Health Cards of Roma students. There the paediatrician Mr Terzidis examined 17 children (15 Roma children and 2 non-Roma children), who were accompanied by their guardians. They were found to be well in general. However, several children were insufficiently vaccinated and lacked regular paediatric check-ups.

• 16^th Primary school of Acharnes

On the same day, the scientific team of the “Global Health-Disaster Medicine” postgraduate studies programme, also, visited the 16^th Primary school of Acharnes and discussed the needs of the students with the school’s principal, Ms Kostarelou. A total of 38 children from all the classes, except the 1^st grade, were examined. 34 out of 38 children were found able to participate in the PE course, as they were physically fit. However, a meeting with the children’s parents should be arranged, so that the children’s complete medical history can be recorded.

• 7^th Primary school of Aspropyrgos

On Tuesday 26^th September 2023, the principal of the 7^th Primary school of Aspropyrgos, Ms Vavouli, welcomed the scientific team of the “Global Health-Disaster Medicine” postgraduate studies programme and helped them coordinate the children’s medical assessment. She informed them that the students of the 2^nd, 5^th and 6^th grades were absent, due to the construction work that was carried out at the school and a recent bout of flu. A total of 69 children were examined (from the 1^st to the 4^th grade of Primary school) and 3 children from the 1^st grade of the 3^rd Junior High School of Aspropyrgos, who have siblings in the primary school and came to be examined accompanied by their guardians. All the children examined were insufficiently vaccinated, but physically fit to take part in the PE course. However, 8 children were found in need of special medical attention and regular check-ups.

Provision of health support in Karditsa (Mavrikas settlement)

On Monday 25^th September 2023, two representatives of the “Global Health-Disaster Medicine” postgraduate studies programme travelled to Karditsa to offer health support to the residents of the Mavrikas Roma settlement, which was recently affected by the severe weather phenomenon, Daniel. The settlement remains uninhabitable, so a lot of families are roomed either in other houses or in the town’s stadium. The partners of the programme met with 7 families, that is 30 – 40 people, most of whom were children aged from 0 to 16 years old. During their stay, they examined the children and provided them with medicines as well as instructions for their use. At the same time, they recorded their needs for future interventions.

The mediator of the Karditsa-Mavrikas Roma Community Center, Mr Georgios Bantis, offered his invaluable assistance during the intervention. He informed the partners of the programme about the current situation and needs and led them to meet with the families.

Τhe programme “Health care interventions for Roma children: prevention, health treatment, access to the NHS” will continue its work in October, as well!