Disease Control Agency and Ministry of Education Distribute Guidebooks for Teachers at Educational and Childcare Institutions Nationwide
16 Common Rare Diseases, Including Down Syndrome, Selected
The Disease Control Agency and the Ministry of Education announced on the 27th that they will sequentially produce and distribute the “Guidebook for Common Rare Diseases in Children and Adolescents” from this month until December, targeting educators at kindergartens, schools, and other educational institutions across the nation.
The Disease Control Agency, after collecting feedback from patient groups and experts, has selected 16 common rare diseases that require careful care and management in schools. They have created a guidebook containing disease information and behavior guidelines that can be easily referenced and utilized by teachers in actual educational settings.
The guidebook includes information on rare diseases, key management items according to age groups (infancy and school age), and management points that educators need to be aware of. It is provided in a PDF format (10-15 pages) with illustrations for each disease and explanations in simple terms. This month’s guidebook contains information and major management plans related to Down syndrome and Crohn’s disease.
The Disease Control Agency and the Ministry of Education plan to actively promote the guidebook through the Ministry of Education’s Student Health Information Center, educational offices, rare disease patient associations (85 in total), rare disease specialized institutions (17), the Disease Control Agency’s rare disease helpline, and local government websites.
Lee Joo-ho, the Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, stated, “The educational and childcare sectors must fulfill their responsibility to provide equal educational opportunities to all children, including those with rare diseases,” and expressed hope that the guidebooks for common rare diseases in children and adolescents would be actively utilized.
Ji Young-mi, the Director of the Disease Control Agency, emphasized, “Children with rare diseases need consistent attention and care not only in terms of medical support but also in daily life,” adding, “It is especially important for teachers to have understanding and preparation, as schools are where children spend most of their day.”