A new form of medical certificate for preschoolers and schoolchildren was approved in 2024: what you need to know
Every father and mother knows that preparing for the school year is always a troublesome process, especially when it comes to preparing various certificates for the child. In the summer of 2024, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine took a significant step in the direction of facilitating this procedure by introducing changes in the organization of medical examinations for children. These innovations are designed to make the process of obtaining medical certificates for preschoolers and schoolchildren much easier, save parents from having to spend hours in queues, and ensure that every child receives quality medical care without unnecessary stress.
The changes, approved by the order of the Ministry of Health No. 1351, aim not only to optimize bureaucratic procedures, but also to increase the efficiency of medical examination, paying more attention to the health of each child. In this material, we will consider in detail what exactly has changed, how to issue medical certificates now, what features parents should take into account, and why these innovations are important for the health care system in Ukraine.
The procedure for obtaining certificates for enrollment in educational institutions has been updated
The approval of a unified form of a medical certificate for enrolling children in educational institutions of all levels became an important step in the direction of optimizing the document processing process. As noted by the Minister of Health Viktor Lyashko, the new procedure provides that to obtain a certificate it is now sufficient to visit a family doctor, who will issue a unified medical certificate No. 086/o “Medical certificate (excerpt from the medical card of an outpatient)”. This allows parents to avoid the need to undergo an examination by several specialist doctors, spending considerable time and nerves on this.
A medical examination by a family doctor includes a medical history, a complete physical examination, a check for signs of acute or chronic diseases, as well as measurements of height and body weight, examination of visual acuity, hearing (whispered speech), posture and plantography. If any abnormalities or diseases are detected, the child will be referred to a specialist doctor for additional examination. In addition, an examination by a dentist is mandatory before entering kindergarten and school.
Another important aspect is that in order to obtain a medical certificate, mandatory vaccinations according to the National Calendar of Preventive Vaccinations are required. This ensures that children receive the necessary protection against infectious diseases before starting school.
Annual medical examination of schoolchildren: what has changed in 2024
In 2024, the need for mandatory preventive medical examinations of students of secondary education institutions, which are carried out in accordance with the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Resolution No. 31, will remain. After the medical examination, students will also be issued a certificate in the form No. 086/o. This makes it possible for parents and schoolchildren to plan a medical examination at a convenient time, without being tied to a certain period of the year, reducing the burden on medical institutions before the start of the school year.
During the annual examination, doctors conduct a detailed examination of students, assess their health, determine a group for physical education and, if necessary, provide recommendations for additional examinations and treatment. Doctors can also advise on preventive vaccinations, nutrition and other measures to support the health of schoolchildren. This allows for an individual approach to each child, taking into account their specific needs.
An important change was the cancellation of Order No. 682 of the Ministry of Health, which previously regulated medical care for students of general educational institutions. This order provided for mandatory fluoroscopy for children aged 14, 15, 16 and 17, as well as examinations by a number of specialists (pediatric surgeon, orthopedic traumatologist, ophthalmologist, dentist, etc.) at the ages of 6, 11, 14 and 15. Eliminating these requirements allows you to avoid unnecessary medical procedures, which are not always necessary, and to focus on more relevant aspects of children’s health.
The changes introduced in 2024 reflect the desire of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine to provide high-quality and convenient medical care for children, adapted to modern realities. The unification of medical certificates, the simplification of the medical examination procedure and the abolition of outdated norms contribute to the optimization of the process of preparing for the academic year. At the same time, these changes emphasize an individual approach to the health of each child, which is a key aspect of modern medicine. Thanks to these innovations, parents can focus on the main thing — ensuring the health of their children, without burdening themselves with unnecessary bureaucratic hassles.
