THE DEPARTMENT of Education inaugurated 1,869 school clinics around the country as part of its dental and overall health care program amid the pandemic.

“We find it necessary to provide these services to learners and personnel to address the high prevalence of dental caries and other health problems during the time of the pandemic,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.

The DepEd conducted simultaneous ribbon-cutting ceremonies in different school clinics via Zoom.

Under the project led by the Bureau of Learners Support Services-School Health Division, 1,706 out of the 1,869 clinics were refurbished, 1,068 of them equipped with dental chairs, medical consultation rooms, tools and medical supplies.

“Today, we are certain that we are one step closer to this dream. Ang symbolic ribbon cutting ngayong araw na ito sa iba’t ibang paaralan sa buong Pilipinas ay nagpapamalas ng ating pagkakaisa hindi lamang para sa operations ng clinics na ating itinatag kundi gayon na rin ang pagpapalakas ng delivery ng medical at dental services sa ating mga mag-aaral bilang bahagi ng ating basic education learning continuity plan sa school year 2021-2022 na magbubukas sa susunod na Lunes,” Undersecretary for Administration Alain Pascua shared.

Pascua said that health care supplies like toothpaste, toothbrushes and soap will be distributed to 14,118,220 kinder to Grade 6 learners.

“This pandemic has made us realize the need to emphasize the establishment of our school medical and dental clinics as a foundation for a safe and healthy learning environment. This reiterated the need to strengthen the institutional system and capacities to ensure that health services are available for the reopening of schools,” BLSS-OIC Director Lope Santos III said.