SENATOR Christopher Lawrence Bong Go is pushing for the institutionalization of school clinics in all public elementary and secondary schools nationwide, citing serious gaps in the availability of on-site health facilities and personnel that directly affect students’ well-being and learning conditions.

Through Senate Bill No. 1780, Go underscored that access to basic healthcare within schools remains uneven and inadequate, particularly in rural and geographically isolated areas. He stressed that education outcomes are inseparable from the health status of learners.

“Data from the Department of Education showed that only 28 percent, or about 13,081 schools out of 47,013 public schools nationwide, have school clinics,” he said, warning that many students are left without immediate access to basic medical attention during school hours.

Go described the situation as a serious weakness in the delivery of youth-focused health services, especially within schools where children spend most of their day. He noted that while DepEd has set an objective of ensuring at least one functional clinic or health corner in every public school, the reality on the ground remains far from that target.

The senator emphasized that SBN 1780 directly responds to this gap by mandating the establishment of a school clinic in every public elementary and secondary school nationwide. Under the measure, all public schools operated by DepEd would be required to have a functional clinic, while existing facilities would be assessed and upgraded as needed to meet the standards set by the proposed law.

The clinics are envisioned to provide basic medical, dental, and first-aid services to students, teachers, and school personnel, and to be equipped with adequate medical supplies and sanitation facilities. Each clinic would serve as the school’s primary health service delivery unit, covering emergency care, basic medical and nursing services, health screening and monitoring, health education, disease prevention, and nutrition assessment and counseling.

To ensure proper operation, the clinics would be manned by at least one school nurse or qualified health personnel, working under the supervision of DepEd and in coordination with the Department of Health and concerned local government units.