The school clinic
We have a working clinic on campus, with a full-time doctor and nurses every day of term. Students who fall ill are seen and treated at school, and they can stay in the sick bay if they need rest. A student goes to hospital only when the clinic cannot give the care they need.
Applications are open for Senior 1, Senior 5 and transfer students.
More than a first aid room
The clinic has a doctor, trained nurses, sick bay beds and the medicines needed for the illnesses that are common in a boarding school.
A student who feels unwell goes to the clinic, is examined and is treated. If they need rest and watching, they stay in the sick bay. Most illnesses are treated fully at school. A student is sent to hospital, or a parent is asked to collect them, only when the illness needs more than the clinic can give.
"A boarding school must be able to care for a sick child. Our clinic is here because we take that duty seriously."
Who looks after students
The clinic team and what they do.
The doctor
A qualified doctor works at the school full time during term. Sick students are examined by a doctor, not just handed medicine.
The nurses
Trained nurses give treatment, look after students in the sick bay and keep a record of every visit.
The sick bay
Beds where a student who is too ill for class or the dormitory can rest and be watched by the nurses.
More about the clinic
- 1Going to the clinicA student who feels unwell can go to the clinic at any time. They do not have to wait for a break. If a student falls ill in class, a teacher or prefect takes them.
- 2Being examinedThe doctor or nurse on duty asks about the illness, examines the student and decides what is wrong.
- 3TreatmentThe student gets medicine from the clinic and rest. If they need closer watching, they stay in the sick bay and the doctor checks on them until they are better.
- 4A record is keptEvery visit is written down: the date, the illness and the treatment. This helps the doctor the next time the student comes.
- 5Back to classA student goes back to class or the dormitory only when the doctor or nurse says they are well enough.
Treated at school
- Malaria and fever
- Coughs, colds and chest infections
- Stomach upsets, diarrhoea and vomiting
- Headaches and minor pain
- Skin problems and minor infections
- Eye and ear infections
- Cuts and minor injuries from sport or play
- Urine infections
- Tiredness and checks for low blood
- Period problems and girls' health
- Students who are upset or worried
Sent to hospital, or parents called
- Anything that needs an operation or a specialist
- Severe malaria that does not get better with treatment
- Broken bones and serious injuries
- Sudden, severe stomach pain
- Tests the clinic cannot do
- Illness that does not improve with the clinic's medicine
- Treatment through a drip or other hospital care
- Mental health problems that need specialist help
- Any emergency
Most students who fall ill during term are treated and back in class without their parents needing to come to school.
- 1Proper bedsA student in the sick bay rests in a bed in a clean room, away from the dormitory.
- 2Boys and girls apartBoys and girls stay in separate areas of the sick bay at all times.
- 3Checked through the dayNurses check temperature, drinking and medicine times through the day. The doctor sees every student in the sick bay each day.
- 4Meals brought inMeals are brought to the sick bay at normal meal times. Students who cannot eat normal food get something lighter, as the doctor advises.
- 5Home to the dormitory when wellThere is no set number of days. A student leaves the sick bay when the doctor says they are fit to go.
- 6Keeping up with lessonsIf a student stays more than a day and feels well enough, teachers send notes or light work so they do not fall far behind. Rest comes first.
How it works
- Who decides: the school doctor, after examining the student
- Where: a nearby hospital or health centre
- Parents: always told, with full details of the illness and treatment
- With the student: a member of staff stays with them until a parent arrives or takes over
- Letter: the doctor writes a referral letter for the hospital
What parents should know
- We call you before your child leaves school. In an emergency, we call you straight away while your child is on the way.
- You may collect your child and take them to a hospital of your choice. The doctor's letter can be used at any registered hospital.
- When your child comes back, the clinic checks that they are fully well and follows any treatment the hospital gave.
Please tell the school in writing about any allergy, long-term illness or regular medicine when your child joins. Questions? Email info@jonahs.ac.ug or call +256 788 262 797.
Places for 2027
Apply for Senior 1 or Senior 5, or come and see the school for yourself.