«وقاية» و«التعليم» للمدارس: هذه الحالات طارئة وجسيمة تعاملوا معها وفق الدليل

The Public Health Authority (Prevention) and the Ministry of Education have defined emergency cases in public education schools at all three levels for boys and girls.

The third edition of the guideline for emergency and severe cases in schools for the year 2026 states that these cases include: fainting, choking, bleeding and wounds, head injuries, seizures, burns, fractures, bites and stings, electric shock, heat exhaustion, sunstroke, diabetes attacks, asthma crises, or any other condition that shows signs of life-threatening or deterioration.

Enhancing Readiness

The guideline indicated that in the framework of enhancing readiness and effectively dealing with emergencies within schools, several basic requirements must be met to ensure the safety of all school members. These requirements include forming a team at the school to handle emergency cases, training the health supervisor and school staff, providing contact numbers for the health center and the Red Crescent, and establishing an alternative plan to deal with unexpected events.

Examples of Severe Incidents

The guideline clarified that examples of severe incidents include: self-harm that does not lead to death, which is when a person intentionally harms themselves, such as cutting or burning themselves or falling from heights. This type of self-harm serves as a harmful reaction to cope with emotional pain, sadness, anger, and stress. Self-harm that leads to death is when a person intentionally harms themselves resulting in death, and the loss of a student's life due to an accident or injury, as well as cases of physical, psychological, and sexual violence in all its forms. It was noted that severe incidents are considered emergencies that require the presence of the Red Crescent and urgent referral to emergency services to initiate first aid.

Accompanying Symptoms

The guideline pointed out that the accompanying symptoms of severe cases include: involuntary urination, behavioral changes, social withdrawal, changes in academic performance, rapid agitation, and difficulty in concentration and attention, which affect academic achievement, anxiety or stress, a constant feeling of worry about incidents or social situations, and depression characterized by persistent sadness and loss of interest in usual activities. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms may include nightmares, painful memories, or strong reactions when recalling the incident. The guideline stated that first aid for the student includes calling the Red Crescent, remaining calm, and addressing the injury according to the situation. For example, if the case involves bleeding, it should be treated as a bleeding case, and the health center should be informed of the situation, along with communication with the relevant authorities in the Ministry of Health (health clusters) and the relevant educational administration, while providing psychological support to the injured individual and the group that witnessed the incident.