SOCHIESE and SOCHIPE sign alliance to Promote School Health in Chile

In the context of the 63rd Chilean Congress of Pediatrics, organized by the Chilean Society of Pediatrics (SOCHIPE), held in Concepción between November 26 and 29, the partnership between the SOCHIPE Social Pediatrics Committee and the Chilean Society of School Health Nursing (SOCHIESE) was announced. Both entities signed an alliance to promote a healthy lifestyle in the country's educational establishments, with the aim of reducing sedentary behavior and encouraging healthy habits through physical activity and health education.

Promoting a New Culture of School Health

The alliance between SOCHIESE and SOCHIPE seeks, among other things, to ensure that all students in Chile practice at least one hour of physical activity daily in their educational establishments. This urgent measure aims to improve the physical and mental health of children and adolescents, addressing an issue that is becoming increasingly relevant in the face of growing child health challenges.

The Relevance of School Nursing

One of the fundamental pillars of this alliance is the active incorporation of nurses within the educational communities. The current president of the Chilean Society of School Health Nursing (SOCHIESE), Nuri Sadá, highlighted the importance of having health professionals in schools to lead comprehensive school health programs that not only promote physical wellbeing, but also help to detect possible health problems in time.

Nuri Sadá stated: ..."it is important to incorporate nurses into schools to lead comprehensive school health programs that ensure the wellbeing of students and allow for the timely detection of health problems".

He further commented that: "Ideally, schools, especially in rural or disadvantaged areas, should have school nurses who can manage healthy environments and coordinate prevention actions; this model, which has already been successfully implemented in other countries, improves the quality of life of students by ensuring that they receive timely care and support.

A Strategic Collaboration

The alliance between the two scientific societies aims not only to implement physical activities within the school curriculum, but also to provide continuing education for teachers and health professionals through training and counseling sessions. In addition, pilot programs will be designed at the community level, which will make it possible to evaluate the impact of these initiatives on the wellbeing of schoolchildren.

"We are convinced that, working together, we can promote equitable access to school health services and contribute to the development of more effective public policies for our children and adolescents."

This joint work is essential to reduce gaps in access to school health services, allowing all children and adolescents, regardless of their social context, to access the benefits of a healthy educational environment."

Comprehensive Approach for the Future

The collaboration between SOCHIESE and SOCHIPE is a response to the urgent need to address the health challenges affecting children and adolescents in Chile. With the active participation of school nurses and the promotion of physical wellness, it is hoped that this alliance will contribute to improving the course of school health in Chile.

The Chilean Society of Pediatrics, through its Social Pediatrics Committee, reiterates the importance of acting quickly to prevent children and adolescents from becoming adults with serious health problems. For their part,the scientific societies are committed to continuing to promote this type of initiative with the support of the country's educational and health authorities.

Next Steps and Commitments

The next steps in this alliance include the development of publications and the implementation of pilot projects to be carried out in various communities in the country. The goal is to put these school health models into practice effectively, contributing to the physical and mental wellbeing of students, and setting a new standard for the integral wellbeing of Chilean children and adolescents.