The Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines observes a yearly "One Health Week" as part of its flagship health program, Oplan Kalusugan sa DepEd (OK sa DepEd). This week-long event aims to promote holistic health and well-being among learners and DepEd personnel. The theme for this School Year’s One Health Week is “OK sa DepEd ang Eskwelahang Healthy.” This reflects the DepEd’s commitment to intensifying school health programs under OK sa DepEd, as the means to ensure that schools become healthy learning institutions (HLI) or safe and healthy environments that promote the wellbeing and holistic development of learners. The One Health Week serves as a platform to highlight and implement various health programs under OK sa DepEd. This includes initiatives like the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP), National Drug Education Program (NDEP), Adolescent Reproductive Health (ARH), Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in Schools (WinS) program, Medical, Dental, and Nursing Services (MDNS), and School Mental Health (SMH).
One Health Week emphasizes the importance of collaboration and partnerships to ensure the success of school health initiatives. Schools are encouraged to network with local partners, including health providers, local government units (LGUs), and community organizations, to leverage resources and expertise. The One Health Week plays a crucial role in promoting the health and well-being of learners and ensuring a safe and conducive learning environment. It serves as a platform to:
- Raise awareness about health issues and promote holistic well-being
- Provide access to health services and strengthen partnerships
DepEd continues to strengthen its OK sa DepEd program and One Health Week initiatives to ensure that all learners have access to quality health services and a supportive learning environment. It is an important initiative that demonstrates DepEd's commitment to promoting the health and well-being of learners. It serves as a reminder that education and health are interconnected and that a healthy learner is a better learner.
