Government school students at a risk of falling back in their education because of health reasons have help at hand.

The Bihar Education Project Council on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Mahavir Vaatsalya Hospital in Patna under which students with bone-related problems or hearing and visual impairment would be treated free of cost.

The government will bear cost of treatment at the hospital. According to the agreement, a student in need for treatment would have to produce an identity document and a forwarding letter from the school principal concerned.

Speaking to the media after singing the MoU, council director Rahul Singh said: “Sixteen type of conditions related to orthopaedics and hearing and visual impairment will be treated. Government school students between six and 14 years of age will be eligible for the treatment.”

Singh signed the MoU with Dr S.S. Jha, Mahavir Vaatsalya Hospital director and head of department, orthopaedics.

He said: “Among the conditions which will be treated include clubfoot, cataract, squint, cleft lip and cleft palate.”

Clubfoot is a deformity in which the foot is twisted inward with the toes pointing down. If left untreated, the child develops an abnormal walking pattern and faces difficulty in wearing shoes.

Birth defects cleft lip and cleft palate occur when a baby’s lip or mouth do not form properly. It leads to speech and sight problems.

The council also plans to set up a day care and learning centre for special children where they would be attended to and imparted lessons.