On June 13, 2025, the final-year B.Sc. Nursing students of BLDEA'S College of Nursing, Jamkhandi, conducted a comprehensive School Health Program at the Government Primary School, Mareguddi, as part of their Community Health Nursing curriculum. The initiative was carried out under the guidance of Dr. Veerabhadrappa Mendagudli, Principal, and coordinated by Mrs. Rajeshwari Kambi, Assistant Professor, and Mrs. Akshata Aralimati, UG Nursing Tutor.

The school principal welcomed the students and provided an orientation covering the school's physical setup, daily functioning, mid-day meal planning, staffing pattern, common health problems among children, maintenance of health records, and government health services available to promote student well-being.

Following the orientation, students carried out health assessments for children from 1st to 5th standard, including:

• General health check-ups
• Height, weight, and other anthropometric measurements
• Observations of personal hygiene and dental health
• Physical examination and signs of nutritional deficiencies
• Early identification of anemia, dental caries, worm infestation, and skin infections

Based on their findings, students provided basic nursing care including first aid, wound care, ear care, deworming, hygiene education, and nutritional guidance to address identified health issues. Close-up anthropometric assessments — height measurement using a height chart and weight measurement on a weighing scale — were conducted for each child individually.

After completing the assessments, health education sessions were conducted in each classroom using charts and posters. Topics covered included:

• Proper hand washing techniques
• Importance of personal hygiene
• Balanced diet and its role in growth
• Prevention of common illnesses such as cold and diarrhea
• Menstrual hygiene for older girls

The School Health Program was a successful initiative that helped in the early detection and management of common health issues among school children. It also raised awareness about health and hygiene, and provided nursing students with valuable practical experience in community health services.