GOVPH

Quezon schools, recipient of the USAID, Fred Hollows Foundation under DepEd's National Vision Screening Program

 The successful implementation of the National Vision Screening Program (NVSP) reaching beyond 8,750 targets on its initial implementation made the Schools Division of Quezon Province to be a model SDO for the program. Relative to this, the Fred Hollows Foundation (FHF), in coordination with the Division, conducted a site visitation to witness NVSP implementation at the school level, Feb. 14-16.

SDO Quezon is one of the chosen pilot sites for the NVSP along with the provinces of Oriental Mindoro, Antique, and Negros Oriental. The NVSP was established under the Department of Education (DepEd) which is primarily intended to screen the eye vision of kindergarten (KG) pupils pursuant to Republic Act No. 11358 or the National Vision Screening Act of 2018, which aims to conduct simple vision screening test on KG pupils through trained teachers and health personnel and identify pupils with possible visual problems; to identify early childhood visual problems; to provide immediate attention to visually impaired KG pupils and create a referral system so that they may be checked and treated by eye care practitioners; to develop visual screening results database for all KG pupils; and to conduct continuing research on the state of visual impairment among KG pupils.

On February 14, 2023, the USAID-Child Blindness Program (CBP), FHFS Australia, and FHF Philippines arrived at Canda Elementary School. SGOD Chief Elizabeth De Villa, Medical Officer Dra. Marie Atoinette Tesalona, Division Focal Person on Eye Health Program Nurse Chiqui Serafica, School Principal II Nympha Reyes of Canda ES, and the IPHO staff were present to welcome and guide the benefactors through the school compound. On the same day, the Team went to Morong ES to witness another set of screenings where the said school, Pili ES, and Antipolo ES KG learners benefitted.

On February 15, 2023, Dra. Tesalona, Nurse Serafica, together with the IPHO team, USAID-CBP, FHF, and Hon. Gov. Angelina “Helen” Tan, paid a visit during the removal of an eye patch of a KG learner from Sampaloc District who underwent Cataract Surgery by Dr. Paguia at Quezon Medical Center.

Afterward, a short meeting was held at the QMC Conference Hall to formally acknowledge the significant support and financial assistance provided by the FHF and USAID-CBP in Quezon Province. Later, a tour of relevant offices at the QMC was done, including the Malasakit Center, Pharmacy, and Records Section.

A short program, like in the previous site visits, was held with the parents/guardians and KG learners who were recipients of free eyeglasses. OIC-SDS Dr. Elias Alicaya Jr., and SGOD Chief Elizabeth M. De Villa awarded the certificates and tokens of appreciation to the guests.

On the last day of the FHF and USAID-CBP site visit on February 16, 2023, SGOD Chief De Villa presented the Accomplishment Report of the NVSP Team to the partner donors during the Feedback and Post-Assessment Activity with Quezon Program Management Team on NVSP, held at Queen Margarette Hotel, Brgy. Domoit, Lucena City.

The guests commended the NVSP Team for being well-organized in managing the said program and related activities, as well as for presenting a data-driven report which would be beneficial in improving partnerships and NVSP implementation.

School Health Section | O.R.Duma/DIO