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MELAKA GSHS 2012 Introduction

1.1.2 Medical and Oral Healthcare Policy

The provision of medical and oral healthcare services to government or government aided
educational institutions is mentioned in the Education Act 39, Chapter 12, section 64 and 65 (2).
In line with this Act, the Ministry of Health provides comprehensive medical and oral healthcare
to schoolchildren. Medical healthcare includes regular health screening and vaccination to the
students while for oral healthcare, both oral health promotion and curative services are
provided. In 2009, the School Health Teams visited 98.5% of secondary schools through out
Malaysia and provided services to 98% of Form 3 students. In addition to that, 75.6% of
secondary school students were rendered oral healthcare through the school incremental oral
healthcare programme.

The Rancangan Kesihatan Sekolah (School Health Programme), _rst established in 1967 was
replaced by the Program Bersepadu Sekolah Sihat (Health Promoting School Programme) in
1997. This programme further strengthened the delivery of healthcare services to
schoolchildren, while integrating other components towards a healthy school environment (4).

1.1.3 Mental Health Programme

In Malaysia, the initiative to improve the mental health of schoolchildren _rst started in 2011
and is targeted to be implemented in stages. This initiative, known as the Healthy Mind
Programme focuses on early identi_cation of students at risk through screening, early detection
of symptoms, identi_cation of stress factors, counseling and early referral to the psychiatrist,
where necessary (5).

1.1.4 Tobacco Control Policy and Regulation

To curb tobacco consumption among adolescents in Malaysia, the Control of Tobacco Products
Regulations 2004 (CTPR), sub-regulations 11 and 13 were enforced (6).The sub-regulations 11,
1(j) states that “No person shall smoke in any area in an educational institution or a higher
educational institution”. In addition, sub-regulation 13, states that “A person under 18 years
who smokes, chews, buy or has in his possession any tobacco products, whether for his own
consumption or not, commit an o]ence and shall on conviction be liable to a _ne not exceeding
one thousand ringgit”.

1.1.5 National Nutrition Policy

The National Nutrition Policy is aimed at ensuring nutritional wellbeing of the
population (7). Under this policy, the Healthy School Canteen Management Guide was
published in 2011(8). This guideline serves as a reference for school canteen operators in
providing a supportive environment for the sale of nutritious foods and beverages in
schools. In 2012, the Guidelines for Healthy Eating in Schools was established to ensure
obese and malnourished students are referred for appropriate management (9).

1.1.6 Policies Related to Social Issues

The National Child Policy (10) and the National Child Protection Policy (11) emphasize
on the right of the child for survival, development, protection, rehabilitation and
participation. These policies are in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child
(CRC) (12) and Child Act 2001(13). In line with the Child Act 2001, school authorities can
refer students in need of protection to the Welfare Department who act as the “Protector”
for the child.

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