“Parents come to these visits and mention that their child is not sick, but they are very tired and it is hard for them to focus in school.” Johanny Quieju, the PES program manager, believes that the program’s yearly doctor visits are crucial for the success of the students. “Through the yearly medical checkup they can see if they have a vitamin deficiency or parasites, and they can receive the medicine and vitamins they need to do better in school” she explains.
During the month of June, 88 PES beneficiaries received their annual checkups.
The visits begin with a consultation on how the child is feeling, if there have been any health concerns, and questions about the beneficiaries’ overall health. Afterwards, the children receive a physical exam during which many children giggle as they get weighed and shiver from the cold of the stethoscope.