The Manila Health Department Division of School Health Services will be implementing the “Online Co-Ed (Consultation and Education) for Manila Public Schools” as the “New Normal” in public school education for elementary and high schools in the city.
During a meeting with the Division of School Health Services, Acting City Health Officer Dr. Arnold Pangan, RSW, emphasized the new system with its objective “to provide online consultation and education to our public Elementary and High school students within the city of Manila.”
The proposal was made by the MHD School Health Services Division headed by its chief Dr. Ervin Paz Dela Rosa, CFP, MPM.
“Public schools will open on October 5. Based on this, Dr. Ervin submitted a proposal on online consultation and education. This is only for public elementary and high schools, for a total of 107 public schools in Manila,” said Pangan.
Among the personnel involved in the program are MHD employees from the Division of School Health Services and the 47 health centers.
Other personnel involved in the program will be the school health division’s physicians, dentists, nurses, health centers’ staff, as well as the principals, teachers and advisers of the public schools.
Pangan said the MHD will provide each MHD healthcare personal who will be the focal person in-charge of the school a cell phone and a SIM card to be used during the online education program.
Needed medical supplies and medicines, as well as flyers, leaflets and posters will also be provided.
In cases of medical emergencies, consultations and provision of medicines, the MHD will provide electronic prescription via Facebook Messenger or e-mail.
Nurses and physicians shall instruct the parent or guardian to go to the health centers via phone calls. Then the health center will provide the medicines needed.
Information dissemination on the Department of Health and the MHD programs and activities will also be implemented.
He said the role of the healthcare providers on this new normal approach was to give medical consultation, counseling, advice and/ or immediate first aid treatment.
The healthcare provider will also provide health education for the promotion, maintenance and restoration of health.
These include promoting some of the programs of the Division of School Health Services such as COVID-19 prevention; “Huwag maging BIBA (Batang Ina Batang Ama)” or the prevention of teenage pregnancy; as well as mediation on conflicts with peers, teachers or parents that may affect their academic performance.
The school dentist will likewise provide contact numbers to the principals teachers and advisers nurses needed for dental services of the students.
The school dentist will also provide schedule for dental teleconsultation at least once a week, scheduled between 8 am to 5pm.
The school dentist and school nurse will likewise coordinate with the health center a dentist for the schedule of urgent or emergency dental treatment and provision of prescribed medicines and proper referral for prompt emergency and/or urgent dental procedure and management.
The MHD will implement this oral services to promote the Department’s “WBMB 2030” or “Wala ng Batang Manileyong Bungi sa 2030”.