Parents are invited to enrol their children in the Student Health Service for the early detection of health problems.

Provided by the Department of Health, the service has given a comprehensive range of promotional and preventive health services to primary and secondary students since 1995.

Department Consultant of Community Medicine Dr Mak Kwok-hang said the health condition of millions of students has been carefully assessed over the years and prompt treatment given to those with problems.

"In the last school year, the most common health problems found among school students were failed vision tests, obesity and scoliosis," he said.

In the 2002/03 school year, students who failed vision tests made up 18.6% of all students tested, compared with 19.8% in 2001/02 and 19% in 2000/01.

The percentage of obese students in 2002/03 was 15.1, compared with 13.6 and 14.1 in 2001/02 and 2000/01 respectively.

For scoliosis, the percentage in 2002/03 was 10.5, compared with 9.2 in 2001/02 and 8 in 2000/01.

Dr Mak encouraged parents and students to join the service, which aims to promote the physical and psychological health of students for free.

Invitation letters together with enrolment forms and information leaflets are now being sent through schools to parents. The application deadline is September 20.

Letters containing the dates of appointment and names of the Student Health Service Centres will be sent to students in due course.

For more details call 2349 4212.