Manila public students get medical teleconsultation
The City of Manila will be offering free medical consultations to all public school students to provide guidance and stay healthy for the duration of the coronavirus disease pandemic.
Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said the implementation of “Online CO-ED (Consultation and Education) for Manila Public Schools” will be the “new normal” in the city’s public elementary and high schools.
“The role of health care providers during this new normal will be to offer free medical consultation, counseling, advice and/ or immediate first aid treatment, as well as education for the promotion, maintenance and restoration of health,” Domagoso said.
Manila Health Department (MHD) chief Dr. Arnold “Poks” Pangan emphasized the program’s objective is to provide online consultation and education to all public elementary and high school students within Manila free of charge and covering all health aspects.
The proposal was made by Division of School Health Services head Dr. Ervin Paz de la Rosa.
Personnel involved in the program include MHD employees from the DSHS and the 47 health centers, the school health division’s physicians, dentists, nurses and health centers staff, as well as principals, teachers and advisers of public schools.
Pangan said the MHD will provide each of its health care personnel who will be focal person in-charge of the school a cell phone and a SIM card, which they will use during the online education program, along with needed medical supplies and medicine, as well as flyers, leaflets and posters.
The role of health care providers during this new normal will be to offer free medical consultation, counseling, advice and/or immediate first aid treatment.
In case of medical emergencies, the MHD will provide electronic prescription via Facebook Messenger or e-mail. Parents or guardians will be directed to a health center by phone and then, the health center will provide the medicines needed.
Information dissemination on Department of Health and MHD programs and activities will also be implemented, including COVID-19 prevention; “Huwag Maging BIBA (Batang Ina Batang Ama),” a program on the prevention of teenage pregnancy; and mediation on conflicts with peers, teachers or parents that may affect academic performance.
Pangan said the school dentist will provide contact numbers to principals, teachers, advisers and nurses needed for dental services for students and a schedule for dental teleconsultation at least once a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.