School Healthcare in Slovenia during the Interwar Period (1918–1941) The 100th Anniversary of School Healthcare in Slovenia (1909– 2009)

Abstract

In 1909, Slovenia received its fi rst document on school healthcare and the fi rst two school pediatricians were appointed in Ljubljana. During the interwar period, school healthcare underwent rapid development, its progress being accelerated primarily by the establishment of the Institute of Hygiene in Ljubljana in 1923. Healthcare began to be nationalized, and the Institute of Hygiene and healthcare centers jointly introduced healthcare institutions primarily for mothers and children, specialized clinics (e.g., for treating tuberculosis, syphilis, and trachoma), a disinfection and sanitation course, and the fi rst program for community nurses. It also dedicated great attention to school healthcare. By 1941, twenty school outpatient clinics had been established in the Drava Province, in addition to health camps and free or subsidized school meals featuring milk. School pediatricians were tasked with early detection and treatment of congenital and acquired health problems in schoolchildren, monitoring and preventing outbreaks of contagious diseases, and systematically examining children at school outpatient clinics. Regular services were provided by otolaryngologists, ophthalmologists and dentists. At the preventive level, school healthcare was involved in the provision of ergonomic classroom furnishings, physical education, nutrition through school meals, and vacation camps. It was also charged with performing sanitary inspections of school buildings and dormitories. All of these public healthcare activities contributed signifi cantly to better health in schoolchildren and lower morbidity rates, and thus also to an improved wellbeing of the Slovenian people.