The Department of Health-Metro Manila Center for Health Development (DOH-MMCHD) on Monday launched the Eskwela Kalusugan: Bawat Bata Malusog sa NCR initiative in a major push to improve child health and wellness.

The school-based health program, implemented in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), local government units, and key stakeholders, aims to address the growing concerns around child malnutrition and health issues in schools through early detection, intervention, and education.

The launch featured free health assessments for Kindergarten to Grade 1 pupils, alongside health information sessions attended by school administrators, local health workers, parents, and students at the Pinaglabanan Elementary School in San Juan City.

The assessments covered physical and nutritional checks designed to catch potential health concerns at an early stage.

“Through Eskwela Kalusugan, we affirm our collective goal of ensuring that every child in the National Capital Region is healthy, safe, and ready to learn. We are investing in a generation that is not only educated but also empowered to thrive,” DOH-MMCHD Regional Director Lester Tan said in his speech.

The campaign is part of the DOH’s broader strategy to reduce child stunting, a condition linked to long-term developmental delays and decreased productivity.

According to the National Nutrition Council, the Philippines could lose as much as PHP2.3 trillion in productivity by 2030 if malnutrition is not addressed. The government’s target is to cut the national stunting rate from 27 percent to 13.5 percent.

Anchored on the theme “Bawat Bata Malusog sa NCR,” the program underscores the importance of early intervention and the shared responsibility between schools, families, and communities in nurturing children’s health.

Aside from medical assessments, Eskwela Kalusugan includes parental education sessions to strengthen the home’s role in promoting overall child wellness.

It supports the DOH’s 8-Point Action Agenda and aligns with the Universal Health Care Law by enhancing collaboration between the health and education sectors at the community level.

With this launch, DOH-MMCHD hopes to create a ripple effect across Metro Manila schools, ensuring healthier, more resilient learners ready to succeed in and out of the classroom. (PNA)