With the intention to take healthcare service to the doorsteps of pupils, a school health plan will be introduced in 60,000 institutions in Orissa.

The health program will cover up 58 lakh students.

A decision to this effect was taken during a conference of the State Health Mission, led by chief minister Naveen Patnaik.

Under this plan, health check-ups will be conducted in all the educational institutions two times in a year. If any pupil is found to be suffering from any life-threatening disease, he/she will be offered full treatment free of charge.

Naveen Patnaik launched a pilot project in Kandhamal region in October 2009.

Pupils from classes I to X belonging to both residential and non-residential educational institutions will be benefited under the plan, which is directed at screening all pupils two times in a year and treating minor problems immediately, while referring serious cases to hospitals.

Around Rs 12.29 crore has been approved for 2009-10 for execution of the healthcare program.

In addition, the State Health Mission has also decided to make buildings for 1,069 health sub-centres in the backward Koraput-Bolangir-Kalahandi (KBK) area bt the next two years. (With Input from Agencies)