Educational Program for patients

In 2013, a hospital-bound Educational Program for Long Staying Patients was established in Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in partnership with Davao Children’s Fund Inc. (DCCFI) and the College of Education, University of Southeastern Philippines (CED-USEP). Thirty (30) students were enrolled in Kindergarten, Elementary and Secondary Levels.
Now, in its second year of operation, 20 elementary school pupils and eight (8) secondary school students will be participating for the School Year 2014 – 2015. The children are all undergoing treatment for childhood cancer such as Leukemia which accounts for 60percent of the cases, Osteosarcoma and Retinoblastoma to name a few. They are enrolled at Dumanlas Elementary School and Davao City National High School. Materials from the Department of Education are being utilized by their Volunteer Learning Facilitators who are Faculty, Graduate Students and Undergraduate students of the College of Education, University of Southeastern Philippines as part of their Community Extension Program.
Dr. Edna Jalotjot, Project Leader of the Hospital-bound Educational Program of CED-USEP, expounds that in the course of their community extension program at SPMC, they found out that the schooling of children who are chronically ill is interrupted. Hence, they conceived to utilize the hospital where they are housed by making it the learning environment for them in accordance with Inclusive Education that all children should learn together, wherever possible, regardless of any difficulties or differences they may have.
Dr. Mae Concepcion J. Dolendo, Head of Pediatrics Oncology Department, SPMC and Founding President of DCCFI, on the other hand, said that since the educational program started, her patients are more cheerful and energetic and any intervention that would bring hope, promote better survival rates and achieve excellent, holistic care for children with cancer is welcomed by their organization.
In April 2014, 15 children participated in the First Moving Up Ceremony which was considered a milestone by the parents and children themselves. As one parent put it, “My child not only moved up in her treatment of cancer but in her schooling as well. We are grateful for this opportunity.”