Guv JJ to distribute essential health care package to pupils

by Homer R. Jajalla

MAHINOG, Camiguin (1 July) –Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo announced at Mahinog Charter Day program here that the government will distribute free toothbrush, toothpaste, bath soap, and deworming tablets to elementary pupils in public schools throughout the province starting this school year.

This is part of the memorandum of agreement that he signed recently on behalf of the provincial government with Fit For School Inc., Department of Education (DepEd) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) for the implementation of the Essential Health Care Package (EHCP) intended to improve the health conditions of elementary pupils in public schools.

The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) stipulates that DepEd as the implementing arm should ensure the quality implementation and appropriate utilization of materials, and to manage overall accomplishment of the project while the local government provides the financial means to ensure timely procurement of needed materials.

Fit for school Inc., for their part, will assist DepEd and the local government unit (LGUs) by providing technical assistance and support in institutionalizing EHCP.

A basic orientation workshop immediately followed after the Essential Health Care Package MOA signing.

Camiguin Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Gretchen Cabalang attuned the participants by revealing the present health status of Filipino Children and EHCP interventions.

Democrito Figueroa Jr., Fit for School, Inc. Senior Project Officer, also disclosed common implementation deficiencies as well as best practices of well performing EHCP in other regions.

After thorough exchange of inputs, project implementers were able to come up with their own strategic action plan for this year.

Meanwhile, Xavier University also signed an agreement with Fit for School Inc. to provide scientific evidence with respect to health outcome, school attendance, school performance and behavior change of students under EHCP in the island province. (PIA-Mahinog Information Office)