Wednesday, May 28, 2008 DepEd set to hold health, nutrition congress
THE Department of Education (DepEd) will conduct the 2008 National School Health and Nutrition Congress from May 28 to 30 at Teachers Camp in Baguio City to highlight the innovations in health care delivery in public schools in recognition of the direct link of the health of schoolchildren to academic performance.
The congress is initiated by DepEd's School Health and Nutrition Center (SHNC) and the Adopt-a-School secretariat.
Dubbed "The Changing Face of School Health Now and into the Future," the seminar will be attended by school health officials, medical officers, dentists, nurses, and other school health personnel including officials from partner agencies and Adopt-a-School Program coordinators across the country.
"We are expecting 1,500 delegates from the different regions, divisions, schools as well as representatives from partner agencies and private organizations," said SHNC director Thelma Santos.
DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus will keynote the event.
Education experts have voiced concern in the past regarding health problems afflicting elementary and secondary students in the country.
According to DepEd, health problems are among the leading causes of poor learning outcomes and dropouts among students. Common aliments found among Grade I to III pupils include dental carries (82 percent), pediculosis (17 percent), malnutrition (14 percent), impacted cerumen (six percent) and iron deficiency anemia (seven percent).
But past efforts to address the problem were confounded by the lack of qualified health personnel of DepEd. The nurse to student ratio stands at 1:4,830 while doctor to student ratio stood at 1:70,500.
The dentist to student ratio is at 1:18,000
One of the highlights of the four-day gathering is the awarding of the outstanding school health personnel and retirees.
Lapus said this year's congress seeks to present assessment of collaborative effort to mitigate hunger and improve health as well as academic achievements of public school children. "It also aims to provide platforms to sustain health programs and forge commitment and grand alliances with stakeholders for school health."
About 26 partner agencies including non-government organizations are invited to attend the said event.
In a related development, a public health and environmental advocacy group on Tuesday pushed for healthy student's "baon" as nutritionists and educators started arriving for the Baguio meeting.
In a statement released in time for the Baguio event, the EcoWaste Coalition drew the delegates' attention to the urgent need to step up a nationwide campaign against foods high in fat, sugar and salt to combat obesity and trash.
"We expect the school health and nutrition specialists to take notice of obesity and diet-related diseases among children," Ofelia Panganiban of the EcoWaste Coalition said, adding that "an animated year-round campaign on obesity should inform teachers, parents and students about its connection with junk food diet and the need to cut down on junk foods."
"A DepEd-led campaign for junk-free 'baon' will ensure school community appreciation for healthy balanced diet and will definitely contribute in shaping mentally alert, emotionally equipped, physically fit and environmentally responsible students, while minimizing junk food trash like plastic wrappers and other disposable packaging materials," the coalition said.
Health and nutrition experts have cautioned against a diet heavy on processed foods that tends to contain excessive fat, sugar and salt, which can lead to micronutrient deficiencies and obesity. This can badly affect a child's concentration, learning capabilities and overall development. Junk-based diet can also set the foundations for high blood pressure and heart disease later in life.
Figures obtained from Consumers International indicates that about 22 million children aged five years old worldwide are already overweight or obese, and that unhealthy diets are a major cause of diabetes, heart disease and some cancers in low and middle-income countries, including the Philippines. (AH/Sunnex)
