SULU, Philippines — Around 1,600 students from Kawmpang Elementary School received free medical, dental, vision, and mental health care through the recent deployment of the YAKAP Health and Kalinga Caravan to one of the nation’s geographically isolated communities.
Conducted during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s official visit to Sulu on October 20, the outreach effort underscored the administration’s dedication to maintaining student health and academic engagement.
The initiative was spearheaded by Education Secretary Sonny Angara, Department of Health representatives, and PhilHealth Regional Office BARMM (PRO BARMM) Acting Regional Vice President Atty. Dagoroan Macarambon II, with the shared goal of eliminating healthcare access barriers for schoolchildren and local families.
Under the YAKAP program, learners underwent thorough health assessments that featured primary care consultations, dental checkups, vision screenings, and mental health evaluations. These preventive measures allowed medical practitioners to detect and manage health conditions capable of disrupting classroom learning and student well-being.
The vision checks aimed to spot eye problems affecting academic performance, while dental services addressed widespread oral health concerns. Furthermore, the mental health assessments provided crucial psychosocial support and early intervention for students in need.
Alongside student care, PRO BARMM established an on-site PhilHealth service desk to support parents and guardians with membership registrations, profile updates, and enrollment in preferred YAKAP clinics. This initiative eliminated the necessity for families to travel long distances for administrative healthcare assistance.
By bringing medical professionals directly to the school grounds, the caravan successfully identified and treated health issues early, helping prevent complications that could otherwise hinder students’ school attendance, engagement, and academic success.