The Department of Education (DepEd) gets Procter & Gamble (P&G) Philippines support for the Essential Health Care Program (EHCP).
The EHCP aims to keep students healthy and improve their academic performance by promoting proper hand washing with soap, daily tooth brushing with fluoride and regular de-worming among school children.
Some one million children will receive annually hand washing kits. They will also learn about proper hand washing practices.
The partnership includes the United Nations International Childrens’ Education Fund (UNICEF) which has been contributing to the program through its Child Friendly Schools program that promotes healthy habits among children.
UNICEF is also implementing the Linis Lusog Kids project together with the GMA Kapuso Foundation where it improves water and sanitation facilities in schools.
The DepEd, through the Parents Teachers Associations and the Local Government Units, provide the hand washing facilities in the schools.
DepEd believes that the state of health and nutrition is a factor with a direct effect on children’s staying power and performance in school. Toothaches and diarrhea are among the common ailments causing children to miss school. (PIA)
