All schools to have MERS clinics

The Education Ministry has ordered all schools to set up health clinics to prevent the spread of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus and other infectious diseases.
Minister of Education Prince Khaled Al-Faisal issued an order recently for every school to allocate a room stocked with medical equipment and medicines.
The aim is to provide treatment and spread awareness of health issues among students and staff, according to a source in the Jeddah education department. The ministerial order also requires the education department to launch awareness drives in all provinces and governorates.
They must also coordinate their plans with the Ministry of Health, the source said.
The source said that the education ministry would provide all schools with water, soap, and toilet paper for personal use.
Khaled Mirghalani, adviser to the health minister and general supervisor of the media health awareness campaign, said the awareness programs at schools are part of the health ministry’s plan to prevent the spread of MERS.
“This is one of the largest and most comprehensive campaigns launched by the health ministry, with the support of top officials,” Mirghalani said.
He said the campaign links health officials in all provinces and governorates, and promotes cooperation with community organizations.
In a related development, education departments have started distributing sterilization liquid to all officials in the department and other establishments. The bottles will be placed close to lifts, toilets and doors.