The School Health Services is established

The School Health Services in Singapore was established in 1921. Also known as the school medical service or school medical inspection, the service started off as a part-time assignment, with the appointment of two medical officers serving the Straits Settlements.^[1]

The colonial government recognised the need for periodic medical inspections for school children, following recommendations highlighted at an education conference in 1918.^[2] The Education Department announced in October 1920 that the medical inspection of school children in government and aided schools had been introduced in across the Straits Settlements.^[3] School children were seen as “the starting point of the new preventive medicine”, and school medical officers played an important role as “missionaries of hygiene” to promote health and hygiene, in the hope that children with a healthier start in life would benefit the nation in the future.^[4] In 1922, the Education Department handed over the role of school medical inspection to the Medical Department, which would enable them to follow up on providing free treatment to students who needed it.^[5]

School medical officers conducted selective checks on students at school. When a child was identified for further treatment, he or she was referred to private doctors, the Kandang Kerbau Government Outpatient Dispensary or other clinics.^[6] The first clinic designated for school children was established in 1946 and located at North Canal Road. In 1959, the school clinic operations and administration moved to the Institute of Health at Outram Road. Several sub-clinics were also formed to cater to the increasing needs of the growing school population.^[7]

The main health issues of school children reported in 1921 were dental cavities, visual defects, anaemia and malnutrition.^[8] Tooth decay was the most common health issue detected, affecting 84 percent of school children. This led to an investment in toothbrushes for students and daily tooth-brushing drills.^[9] While a decrease in dental cavities was reported in the years that followed, many children were still affected due to the lack of dental facilities. In 1947, the school dental service was established to handle the dental health of school children, with the appointment of the first dental officer for schools in 1954.^[10]

The travelling dispensary was introduced to the Straits Settlements in 1927 to reach school children in rural areas. Health education, such as lectures on hygiene and the circulation of posters, also started during this period.^[11]

In 1930, the school health service in Singapore had in its employ one fulltime male and one fulltime female health officer.^[12] The 1936, the Medical Department annual report indicated that teachers were also examined by the medical officers.^[13] They treated health conditions such as malnutrition and contained the outbreak of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis.^[14]

As the number of school children grew through the years, the school health services continued to expand and develop. By the 1970s, the general health of the Singapore population had improved, resulting in changes to the service to align with the nation’s changing lifestyle.^[15]

Today, the School Health Service department continues to promote health through education and programmes, besides conducting regular check-ups and providing free immunisation. Under the Health Promotion Board, health care services for students are more holistic, partnering with other related departments such as the Student Health Centre (SHC), and School Dental Service (SDS).^[16]

References
1. Koh, J. (2012). Singapore childhood : Our stories then and now (p. 171). Singapore: World Scientific. Call no.: RSING 305.23095957 KOH; Legislative Council: Public health. (1921, November 1). The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884–1942), p. 7. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Chay, S. O., & Lim, C. (1980). History of the School Health Services in Singapore: Part I. The Singapore community health bulletin, 21, 36.
2. Colony's budget: Education. (1919, October 7). The Straits Times, p. 7. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
3. Education Department. (1920, October 26). The Straits Times, p. 10. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
4. Health of School Children. (1922, November 8). The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884–1942), p. 6. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
5. Education Department. (1922, August 22). The Straits Times, p. 11. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
6. Koh, 2012, p. 171.
7. Chay, S. O. (1980). History of the School Health Services in Singapore: Part II. Singapore community health bulletin, 21, 40–41.
8. Chay & Lim, 1980, 21, 36–37.
9. The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884–1942), 8 Nov 1922, p. 6.
10. The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884–1942), 8 Nov 1922, p. 6.; Chay, 1980, 21, 40–41; Govt approves dental service for schools. (1947, November 20). The Singapore Free Press, p. 5. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
11. Chay, 1980, 21, 40, 43; Education: Medical and Sanitary Inspection of Schools. (1928, June 2). Malayan Saturday Post, p. 9. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
12. The Straits Medical Department. (1930, October 18) The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884–1942), p. 12. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
13. Straits Settlements. Medical Dept. (1937). Annual report of the Medical Dept., Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States, 1936 (pp. 41–42) [Microfilm no.: NL 26014]. Singapore: Printed at the Govt. Print. Off.
14. Straits Settlements. Medical Dept. (1939). Annual report of the Medical Dept., Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States, 1938 (pp. 36–37) [Microfilm no.: NL 26014]. Singapore: Printed at the Govt. Print. Off.
15. Chay & Lim, 1980, pp. 37–39; Chay, 1980, pp. 41–43.
16. Health Promotion Board (2015, May 22). A Partnership for Healthier Pupils. Retrieved from Health Promotion Board website: http://www.hpb.gov.sg/HOPPortal/health-article/522