School Health Annual Report Programme (SHARP)

Mental health, an essential yet often overlooked aspect of overall well-being, is shrouded in taboo and stigma. There is a growing body of evidence highlighting rising psychological issues among children and adolescents, including behavioural problems and instances of suicide. Statistics indicate that approximately 20% of adolescents worldwide experience mental health or behavioural issues, with up to half of these cases starting during adolescence.
SHARP is taking a crucial stride in addressing this concern among children by organizing awareness programs in schools, targeting both students and teachers. This initiative aims to normalize discussions around mental health and establish a platform where individuals can openly express their concerns and issues.

Following the onset of the Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak, the Indian Government implemented strict quarantine measures affecting citizens across the country. This led to the indefinite suspension of activities in schools, colleges, informal educational settings, and formal workplaces. In response to the government's lockdown announcement on March 24th, SHARP NGO swiftly reorganized its efforts to align with India's Covid-19 containment objectives.
Employing a comprehensive four-pronged strategy for schools and community members, the NGO focused on Student Innovations, Mental Health, Fundraising for Doctors & Policemen, and establishing an All-India Digital Awareness Volunteer Base. Through these initiatives, the organization successfully developed knowledge platforms centred on sanitation, hygiene, Covid-19 awareness, and tele-healthcare.

Road accidents remain a leading cause of fatalities worldwide. As highlighted by a study conducted by the Indian Road Safety Commission, alarming statistics reveal that 17 individuals lose their lives every hour on Indian roads, while 46 children succumb to road accidents daily.
In an effort to impart crucial knowledge and foster responsible behaviour among future drivers, SHARP NGO has implemented an extensive school outreach program. This initiative spans across 240 schools in 12 locations nationwide, reaching out to over 20,000 students.

Malnutrition, a global concern, obstructs development and results in severe human repercussions. SHARP’s nutrition programmes focus on enhancing people's understanding of nutrition and health through qualitative research, proven interventions, and communication strategies aimed at behavioural change.
The diverse programs are dedicated to enhancing nutritional well-being by reinforcing the interventions established by the Government of India (GOI) across its health and nutrition schemes. These initiatives specifically target adolescents, the critical 1000-day window encompassing pregnant and nursing mothers, children under 5 years old, and other rural communities.

Due to insufficient knowledge and attitudes surrounding menstrual health, schoolgirls often feel reluctant to engage in open discussions about menstruation. SHARP’s primary focus is to bring about a substantial transformation in the lives of young girls by advocating for menstrual health awareness within schools, with the support and involvement of teachers. The underlying objective is to establish a platform where girls feel comfortable addressing and dispelling myths and taboos surrounding menstruation. Simultaneously, it aims to identify and empower change-maker teachers who will advocate for menstrual health education at various levels within the school system.

The enduring success and effectiveness of any social initiative hinge on the active involvement of the local community. To ensure this vital participation, it conducts thorough workshops and training sessions facilitated by proficient experts. These sessions are designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of the local residents, empowering them to adeptly spearhead these initiatives.

Proper sanitation and hygiene practices are crucial for public health and overall well-being. The programs are designed to instil healthy habits and promote best practices among school children and community members. SHARP conducts various essential programs that focus on key areas such as healthy handwashing, personal hygiene, menstrual health and hygiene, and hygiene for young mothers. Alongside these initiatives, it provides quality facilities and services, including the installation and maintenance of RO & UV purifiers, distribution of sanitary napkins, and hygiene kits.

The program's objective is to offer extensive eye examinations to all sectors of society, facilitated by certified optometrists, ophthalmologists, and other medical professionals. Emphasizing both preventive and curative aspects of eye care, the program is structured in two phases: Community Mobilization and conducting Eye Check-up camps. This is followed by providing free medication and distributing spectacles based on individual needs.

The program centers on assessing the health index and delivering extensive health services through capacity-building health workshops and awareness programs within rural communities. This involves mobilizing the community to identify, address, and prevent health issues, establishing regular follow-up procedures, and providing necessary treatments to resolve immediate health concerns.

The program focuses on delivering high-quality health check-ups to school students, providing health screenings, consultations by medical professionals, and digitized health report cards.
Over the last two decades, SHARP has grown to become India's largest School Health Network, covering approximately 10,000 schools and serving 1.8 million students across different regions of the country.
Collaborating with the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), SHARP conducted extensive screening for over 500,000 children in various districts of Assam, including Kamrup, Darrang, and Jorhat.