Daily handwashing with soap and water, toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste, and deworming have proven to be effective interventions that considerably improved the health status and educational achievement of school children in the Philippines. So far the Department of Education of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd ARMM) implemented the program in selected schools in the divisions of Maguindanao I and II, Lanao del Sur IA and IB, Lanao del Sur II, Marawi, and Tawi-Tawi under the Essential Health Care Program (EHCP) model in partnership with GIZ.
We are very pleased to learn that based on In view of the positive experiences, DepEd ARMM made the decision to scale up the EHCP to the island divisions of Basilan, Lamitan and Sulu. The first step in the extension of the program was an orientation and planning workshop carried out on January 14-16 in Zamboanga City.
GIZ is delighted of the direction the ARMM education sector is taking and will provide assistance from distance as much as possible.
