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The Universal Medical and Dental Checkup, among grades one to three pupils, will be implemented by the Department of Education when classes open next month.
DepEd's Universal Medical/Dental Checkup aims to examine grades one to three pupils to determine their health and nutrition status. Each child is provided a medical and dental card that would serve as his/her health record. The health and nutrition data gathered under the UMDC will "identify children who are at health-risk, guiding DepEd in planning school feeding programs and other health interventions for the rest of the school year."
Past efforts to administer health examinations in public schools have been largely inadequate because of the lack of DepEd health personnel.
The nurse-to-student ratio stands at 1:4,830, while the doctor-to-student ratio is at 1:70,500. The dentist-to-student ratio is at 1:18,000.
To address this inadequacy, DepEd is again working with the Department of Health, Department of Interior and Local Government, and various health groups and associations to mobilize communities, health service providers and medical practitioners to volunteer their services for UMDC.
President Arroyo launched the universal medical and dental checkup on
According to DepEd, health problems are among the leading causes of poor learning outcomes and dropouts among pupils. Common ailments found among Grades 1-3 pupils examined last year included dental caries (82%), pediculosis (17%), undernutrition (14%), iron deficiency anemia (7%), impacted cerumen (6%), among others.
It is hoped that with the leadership and concern of all school officials and with the support of provincial, city, municipal and barangay officials, DepEd will be able to succeed in its program on providing health care to all grades one to three pupils. - Jasmin R. Uy/MEEV
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