SAVE THE Children Philippines received a US$35,000 (P1.6 million) donation from the US-based Cardinal Health Foundation to support its health and hygiene projects for learners in Rizal province.

The Cardinal Health Foundation is the charitable arm of Cardinal Health, a global integrated healthcare services and products company headquartered in Dublin, Ohio in the United States that provides customized solutions for hospitals, health systems, pharmacies, ambulatory surgery centers, clinical laboratories, and physician offices worldwide.

“Cardinal Health and Save the Children Philippines have the shared goal of promoting proper health and nutrition, and we’re proud to support this important work,” Shane Abeyratne, country managing director of Cardinal Health International Philippines, said.

Save the Children Philippines will use the funds to set up handwashing facilities in 15 public elementary schools in Rizal. It will also provide age-appropriate personal hygiene supplies to learners, including adolescent female school children.

The grant will also fund the All Kids School Health Involvement and Empowerment program which provides support to the local government of Rizal for the health and hygiene needs of children from poor families, and those living in remote areas, including the Dumagat Indigenous Peoples community.

Atty. Alberto Muyot, chief executive officer of Save the Children Philippines, urged local governments to ensure the health and safety of children, especially school-aged children, during the Covid19 pandemic.

Data from the Department of Education revealed that more than half of all public schools in the country have limited or no access to water supply.

“Children are among the most vulnerable to diseases and infection, including Covid19. We are thankful to the philanthropic support of Cardinal Health Foundation to help improve and protect the health of Filipino learners, especially in these critical times,” Muyot said.

He emphasized that hand hygiene is life-saving and key to helping children and their families stay healthy during the pandemic.

Save the Children Philippines will also conduct health awareness sessions to educate children and their families on the importance of cleanliness and personal hygiene to protect themselves from Covid19 and other life-threatening diseases.