News Summary
Reviewed editorially.
- A heart screening program has been launched for 4,196 students from 40 schools in Chhatrakot Rural Municipality, Gulmi district.
- Organized under the coordination of Nepal Heart Disease Prevention Foundation, Gulmi, the program will assist students diagnosed with heart conditions in accessing treatment.
- A similar screening conducted earlier in Gulmidarbar Rural Municipality identified heart-related issues in 10 out of 3,950 students tested.
June 2, Gulmi – A heart screening program has begun for students studying in schools of Chhatrakot Rural Municipality, Gulmi district. Conducted under the coordination of Nepal Heart Disease Prevention Foundation, Gulmi and organized by Chhatrakot Rural Municipality, the program aims to test the hearts of 4,196 students attending 40 schools within the municipality.
The initiative was inaugurated at Saraswati Secondary School in Chhatrakot, where senior cardiologists Dr. Sumanata Banjade and Dr. Pradeep Pandey are leading the heart examinations.
According to Taraprasad Bhusal, chairman of Nepal Heart Disease Prevention Foundation, Gulmi, students requiring further evaluation will undergo echocardiography to diagnose any heart conditions. The foundation will also facilitate necessary treatment for students found with heart diseases during the screening.
Rajan Pandey, Chief Administrative Officer of Chhatrakot Rural Municipality, stated that prioritizing student health and safety, the municipality has allocated a budget to carry out this program. He emphasized that early detection and treatment of heart disease through such initiatives is both effective and a significant achievement.
A similar program was conducted about two weeks ago in Gulmidarbar Rural Municipality, where senior heart specialist Dr. Sumanata Banjade reported identifying heart-related problems in 10 out of 3,950 students screened. Of these, eight students have started medication and two have been referred to Kathmandu for additional treatment.
Akhileshwar Prasad Pandey, a central member of Nepal Heart Disease Prevention Foundation, explained that early diagnosis of heart disease in children allows for easier treatment. He also noted that the Nepal government has provisions for treatment, making such health programs extremely valuable.
Dr. Sumanata Banjade highlighted that school-age children are at higher risk for rheumatic heart disease. Symptoms such as sore throat, difficulty swallowing, enlarged tonsils, and joint pain, if left untreated, can lead to rheumatic heart conditions. She stressed the importance of awareness and screening and advised paying special attention to children’s nutrition and hygiene. Playing in dirty environments and unhealthy eating habits increase the likelihood of throat infections, which can ultimately affect the heart.
Doctors also point out that factors during pregnancy such as mothers knowingly or unknowingly consuming strong medications, smoking, drinking alcohol, or experiencing excessive stress can contribute to heart valve problems in newborns. Taraprasad Bhusal expressed confidence that such health screening campaigns in rural areas will play a key role in safeguarding children’s health.
