DepEd bats for permanent clinics in all public schools
Published May 22, 2020 12:00 am
By Merlina Hernando-Malipot
Since children become part of the most vulnerable groups in the national health emergency, the Department of Education (DepEd) underscored the importance of strengthening health programs for students through the establishment of clinics in all public schools nationwide.
DepEd Undersecretary for Administration Alain Del Pascua (FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN)
DepEd Undersecretary for Administration Alain Del Pascua, during a recent House Committee Hearing of Committee on Basic Education, shared the need of “permanent clinics” in public schools.
Even before the pandemic and the hearing, Pascua said that DepEd has already recognized the need to put up clinics in all public schools. Citing DepEd data, he noted that only 28 percent or about 13,081 schools of 47,013 public schools in the country have clinics.
Pascua explained that each clinic - as large as a classroom - would cost P2. 5 million. “We can also convert an unused classroom for P450,000,” he said. Depending on the actual field evaluation, DepEd would need P15.27 billion to P84. 83 billion for this.
“Kung maipapasa ito sa budget, pilit din nating nire-request ang kaakibat na pondo para sa kagamitan para sa mga school clinic na ito (If this will be included in the budget, we will also try to request for additional funds for equipment for these school clinics),” Pascua added.
Pascua said that DepEd also supports the bills that push for establishment of clinics in public schools especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic. These clinics, he explained, would also be used as a storage facility for equipment and emergency response kits as well as housing for DepEd’s medical personnel.
In 2018, DepEd officially launched its flagship health program called “Oplan Kalusugan (OK) sa DepEd.” It features the convergence of DepEd’s plans, policies and activities and showcases the major school health programs of the department that include School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP); National Drug Education Program (NDEP); Adolescent Reproductive Health Education (ARH); Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in Schools (WinS); Medical, Dental, and Nursing Services; and the School Mental Health Program.
As early as last year, Pascua said the DepEd planned to improve the delivery of health and nutrition programs for learners and personnel such as the construction of about 2,000 school clinics in all towns nationwide starting this year, possibly in central elementary schools, in towns without municipal clinics, or in areas far from existing clinics.
To support the operation of the said clinics, Pascua said he will request the Department’s Curriculum and Instruction strand to deploy senior high school (SHS) students enrolled in health-related tracks to serve as clinic aides as part of their immersion program. Another immersion program for SHS students, specifically those under tracks related to food and beverages, is preparing nutritious food to be distributed to schools for the school-based feeding program.
To reach more schools and serve more learners, Pascua said that DepEd is also eyeing to propose the provision of mobile clinics as it looks for doctors, nurses, and dentists in schools and augmenting the delivery of potable water in every school.
DepEd Undersecretary for Administration Alain Del Pascua (FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN)
DepEd Undersecretary for Administration Alain Del Pascua, during a recent House Committee Hearing of Committee on Basic Education, shared the need of “permanent clinics” in public schools.
Even before the pandemic and the hearing, Pascua said that DepEd has already recognized the need to put up clinics in all public schools. Citing DepEd data, he noted that only 28 percent or about 13,081 schools of 47,013 public schools in the country have clinics.
Pascua explained that each clinic - as large as a classroom - would cost P2. 5 million. “We can also convert an unused classroom for P450,000,” he said. Depending on the actual field evaluation, DepEd would need P15.27 billion to P84. 83 billion for this.
“Kung maipapasa ito sa budget, pilit din nating nire-request ang kaakibat na pondo para sa kagamitan para sa mga school clinic na ito (If this will be included in the budget, we will also try to request for additional funds for equipment for these school clinics),” Pascua added.
Pascua said that DepEd also supports the bills that push for establishment of clinics in public schools especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic. These clinics, he explained, would also be used as a storage facility for equipment and emergency response kits as well as housing for DepEd’s medical personnel.
In 2018, DepEd officially launched its flagship health program called “Oplan Kalusugan (OK) sa DepEd.” It features the convergence of DepEd’s plans, policies and activities and showcases the major school health programs of the department that include School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP); National Drug Education Program (NDEP); Adolescent Reproductive Health Education (ARH); Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in Schools (WinS); Medical, Dental, and Nursing Services; and the School Mental Health Program.
As early as last year, Pascua said the DepEd planned to improve the delivery of health and nutrition programs for learners and personnel such as the construction of about 2,000 school clinics in all towns nationwide starting this year, possibly in central elementary schools, in towns without municipal clinics, or in areas far from existing clinics.
To support the operation of the said clinics, Pascua said he will request the Department’s Curriculum and Instruction strand to deploy senior high school (SHS) students enrolled in health-related tracks to serve as clinic aides as part of their immersion program. Another immersion program for SHS students, specifically those under tracks related to food and beverages, is preparing nutritious food to be distributed to schools for the school-based feeding program.
To reach more schools and serve more learners, Pascua said that DepEd is also eyeing to propose the provision of mobile clinics as it looks for doctors, nurses, and dentists in schools and augmenting the delivery of potable water in every school.