MANILA, Philippines?The United Nations has recognized the country?s Essential Health Care Program (EHCP) as one of the world?s best practices in primary health care among schoolchildren, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said Sunday.

Lapus said the UN awarded Fit Fort School Inc., a partner of the Department of Education (DepEd) in implementing the EHCP, as one of the three winning ?Southern Solutions? presented at the annual UN Global South-South Development Expo on Dec. 17 for its innovative practices. The award was handed out in Washington D.C.

?The eyes of the international public health and education community are on our work in the Philippines. Winning this award is an honor and great recognition for all those involved in the program,? Lapus said in a statement.

The GSSD Expo is a global and annual UN-wide event held in conjunction with the celebration of United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation. It creates an opportunity for governments, UN organizations and the private sector to showcase their solutions to pressing problems and build innovative partnerships ?around the most promising transferable and scalable experiences.?

Lapus said the EHCP was recognized for combining ?high impact and evidence-based interventions in a simple and cost effective package? to improve the health and development of primary schoolchildren.

The EHCP, implemented in public daycare and elementary schools nationwide, provides a health kit to every pupil which consists of soap for hand-washing, a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, and a deworming tablet given twice a year.

Lapus said the program was necessary after recent studies showed that diarrhea and respiratory tract infections were the leading causes of death among schoolchildren. The studies also showed that 67 percent of children were infected with intestinal worms while 97 percent had tooth decay, with toothache cited as the main reason for absenteeism in school.

To remedy these problems, Lapus said the EHCP sought to reduce the incidence of diarrhea among schoolchildren by 30 to 40 percent, respiratory infections by 20 to 30 percent, and worm infections by 50 percent. The program was also expected to increase school attendance by 20 percent and improve academic performance.

The EHCP currently reaches out to 2.02 million children in some 8,000 elementary schools throughout the Philippines. Private organizations and local government units are both active in supporting the program, Lapus said.

He added that schools were considered the ideal venue for health promotion and behavior change ?as they are the most appropriate places to reach children in a structured and organized way.?

?Sustainable improvement of health of schoolchildren worldwide is possible and Fit For School Inc. in the Philippines has shown what combined effort, realistic interventions and strong commitment can achieve,? said Dr. Bella Monse, Fit for School CEO.

Lapus said that most of the diseases that afflict schoolchildren are caused by hygiene problems and in the past little attention was put on their impact on the physical and mental development of children, like school attendance, school performance and, ultimately, quality of life.