Bhagalpur, Dec. 21: The state government’s plan to issue health cards to school students has taken a backseat in the district. The deadline for the scheme expired in October, but only 11 per cent of the beneficiaries received the cards.

Health minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey claimed that the main reason for the delay was the absence of students from schools. Bhagalpur is Choubey’s backyard.

On December 16, Choubey conducted a meeting with the health personnel concerned in the district. He expressed concern over the delay in the completion of the project. “It’s a matter of concern that all the cards have not yet been issued. I have asked the civil surgeon to find out the cause of the delay,” he said.

Choubey asked the officials concerned to complete the mission by February 2012.

He added: “I spoke to a number of persons attached with the scheme. I learnt from them that the absence of students from schools is the main reason for the delay.”

Sources said students were giving school a miss as many of them were employed in the harvest season.

U.S. Choudhary, civil surgeon (in-charge), said the project would be completed by February. “For that, efforts have been initiated,” he said.

Choudhary added: “Co-ordination would be strengthened among the personnel of the education and health departments, and child development project officer attached with the mission. We will accelerate the awareness drive to ensure that all the students are present in schools so that the health check-up camps are more effective.”

The plan, under the New Generation Health Guarantee scheme of the state government, aims to provide health cards to boys up to 14 years and girls up to 18 years after check-ups by doctors. The cards would mention the details of a student, like his or her blood group, birth history, weight, age, records of different immunisations and physical conditions.

Doctors would also check their cardio-vascular, respiratory, central nervous and gastro-intestinal systems and record their reports. If the student concerned has suffered from jaundice or any other health problem, it would also be recorded on the cards.

In case of emergencies, these cards could be used as a reference. The scheme was supposed to be implemented in all middle and primary schools.

Besides, health camps were supposed to be organised with the help of anganwadi kendras.

Medical teams were formed in the rural areas with the help of the primary health centres concerned. A task force was constituted under the chairmanship of the district magistrate.