DepEd, Abbott partner to launch malnutrition screening program in 100 pilot schools

The Department of Education (DepEd) and global healthcare company Abbott have partnered to launch a program that aims to strengthen malnutrition screening and nutrition awareness in schools, with an initial rollout covering 100 schools in Metro Manila.

Called the Nutrition and Growth Champions Program, the initiative seeks to equip educators and school health personnel with the tools and training to identify nutrition risks among learners and facilitate appropriate interventions.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the partnership complements the department’s ongoing efforts to improve learner health through its school feeding and nutrition programs.

“As we strengthen school feeding and nutrition programs across the country, partnerships like this help equip our schools with the tools and knowledge to identify nutrition concerns early and connect children to timely support,” Angara said.

According to DepEd, the program comes as child malnutrition remains a public health concern in the country.

Citing the 2025 Updating Survey Results of the Department of Science and Technology–Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), DepEd said 25.3% of Filipino children under five years old are stunted, marking the first increase in stunting prevalence since 2015.

The department said stunting can affect a child’s physical growth, cognitive development, and overall health.

Under the partnership, more than 130 educators and school health personnel will be trained as “Growth Champions” to conduct malnutrition screening and promote nutrition education in schools.

Participating schools will carry out twice-yearly growth screenings, with the pilot program expected to reach more than 70,000 children in Metro Manila.

Abbott General Manager for Nutrition in the Philippines Angelico Escobar said the partnership aims to help identify children at risk of malnutrition earlier while improving nutrition awareness in schools and communities.

“By combining Abbott’s nutrition science expertise with DepEd’s leadership, we can support earlier identification of children at risk of malnutrition and strengthen nutrition awareness in schools and communities, helping build a healthier future for Filipino children,” Escobar said. –VBL, GMA News