Ministry of Health Guide on Health Checks at the Beginning of the School Year
The Ministry of Health has published a guide regarding mandatory periodic health checks for preschool and primary school students at the beginning of the academic year.
According to new guidelines published by the Ministry of Health, students studying in preschool educational institutions, primary schools, and middle schools are required to undergo a health check once a year at the beginning of the academic year.
Purpose and Scope of Health Checks
Annual health checks performed for students at the beginning of each academic year aim to comprehensively evaluate the initial health status of children.
Through these checks, it is aimed to detect early signs of common health problems, various diseases, and disabilities in school-age children.
Places of Application and Criteria
Health examinations can be conducted in educational institutions, municipal-level health clinics, health examination and treatment centers, or other areas suitable for actual conditions.
For children in preschool educational institutions, vital signs, nutritional status, mental and motor skills, and vaccination statuses are evaluated in detail.
Special Screening Areas
Within the framework of comprehensive studies carried out, children between 16 and 30 months of age are subjected to a detailed evaluation specifically for autism risk.
For other students studying in general educational institutions, obstetric status evaluations, detailed physical examinations, and necessary clinical examinations are performed.
Data Sharing and Financing
Educational institutions are obliged to keep health check data up to date through the Health Data Portal by fully complying with the Ministry of Health guidelines.
The financing of these processes is supported through existing budget allocations, the Health Insurance Fund, the Disease Prevention Fund, and legal sponsorships.