Female students to get free iron supplements

Female students in public high schools will receive iron supplements to address cases of anemia, according to the Department of Education.

The DepEd has partnered with the Department of Health (DOH) to implement the school-based weekly iron folic acid (WIFA) supplementation for female students from Grades 7 to 10.

The program aims to improve the students’ school performance and reduce absenteeism due to anemia and other illnesses.

“WIFA will be a component of the menstrual health management project of the DepEd to address knowledge gaps and support learners, many of whom do not have the means for selfcare and do not get the support they need when they face problems related to menstruation, including anemia,” the agency said.

“Such problems, if not addressed, hinder the learners’ ability to carry on with everyday activities and may establish a foundation for life-long disempowerment,” it added.

Female students in Grades 7 to 10 will receive weekly iron supplements from July to September (first round) and January to March (second round) of every school year.

Female students under DepEd’s alternative learning system are also covered by the program.

The DepEd said parents’ consent is necessary before the students can take part in the program.

The iron supplements will be provided by the DOH. The DepEd will be in charge of the project implementation.

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