Goal #3: Good Health And Well-being
Impacting Lives by being Thorough, Accurate, and Reliable!
“Prioritizing health check practices in orphanages not only safeguards the well-being of every child but also nurtures a foundation of care, ensuring their physical and emotional resilience to thrive and flourish in a supportive environment.”
Dr. Nora Yang
Board Member, Mary K. Yap Foundation
Implementing a comprehensive health vaccination checklist for every orphan youth yields remarkable benefits and profoundly impacts their well-being and overall development. Firstly, ensuring every child receives proper vaccinations protects them from preventable diseases, promotes physical health, and bolsters their immune systems. Adhering to a detailed vaccination schedule developed by our Foundation in collaboration with local and international health professionals, orphanages create a safe and healthy environment where children can thrive without the constant threat of vaccine-preventable illnesses. Our health checkup initiatives reduce the risk of severe health complications and minimize disruption to their education and daily lives, enabling them to focus on their personal growth and academic pursuits.
Secondly, a comprehensive health vaccination checklist instills a sense of security and fosters emotional well-being among orphan youth. Knowing that the children have received the necessary vaccinations cultivates a sense of protection and empowers them to engage confidently with their peers and the wider community. Moreover, it offers peace of mind to caregivers and staff, who can be assured that they provide the best possible care and safeguard every child’s health. This sense of security translates into increased resilience, self-assurance, and a positive outlook on life, enabling orphan youth to overcome challenges and embrace their full potential.
Implementing a proper health vaccination checklist for every orphan youth brings numerous benefits and profoundly impacts their physical and emotional well-being.
As part of our Foundation’s health check assessment initiatives, we prioritize health checks and vaccination requirements for the orphanages to create a basis of the groundwork for care and protection, allowing children to grow, learn, and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. It safeguards their immediate health and ensures their long-term well-being, empowering them to lead healthy and fulfilling lives as they transition into adulthood. Here are some vital, impactful benefits from our dedicated efforts and the positive effects that amplify our Health Check initiatives program for these orphanage’s well-being.
- Early Detection and Prevention: Regular health checks allow for the early detection of potential health issues among children residing in orphanages. Timely identification of medical conditions enables prompt intervention and treatment, significantly improving children’s health and well-being.
- Comprehensive Assessment: Health checks provide a holistic evaluation of a child’s overall health, including physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This assessment helps identify developmental delays, nutritional deficiencies, or other health concerns.
- Immunization Monitoring: Orphanages often care for children who may not have received adequate immunizations. Health checks can ensure that children are up-to-date with their immunizations, protecting them from preventable diseases and reducing the risk of outbreaks within the orphanage.
- Individualized Care: Health checks enable healthcare professionals to understand each child’s unique health needs and tailor care accordingly. This personalized approach helps address any specific health challenges or disabilities a child may have, ensuring they receive appropriate support and treatment.
- Individualized Care: Health checks enable healthcare professionals to understand each child’s unique health needs and tailor care accordingly. This personalized approach helps address any specific health challenges or disabilities a child may have, ensuring they receive appropriate support and treatment.
- Health Education: Health checks offer an opportunity to educate caregivers and orphanage staff about health and hygiene practices. Training sessions can be organized to guide topics such as nutrition, hygiene, first aid, and disease prevention. This knowledge can be shared with the children, empowering them to better care for their health.
- Mental Health Support: Health checks can also include screenings for mental health conditions like anxiety or depression. Identifying and addressing mental health concerns early on is crucial for promoting overall well-being and supporting children who may have experienced trauma or loss.
- Documentation and Record-Keeping:Regular health checks ensure the establishment of accurate and up-to-date medical records for each child in the orphanage. These records can be shared with healthcare professionals, future caregivers, and adoptive families to ensure continuity of care and facilitate appropriate medical interventions.
- Long-Term Health Monitoring:Health checks contribute to the long-term monitoring of children’s health during their stay at the orphanage. By regularly assessing their growth and development, any emerging health issues can be identified and managed effectively, promoting their overall well-being.
- Collaboration with Healthcare Providers:Regular health checks encourage collaboration between orphanages and healthcare providers, such as doctors, nurses, and specialists. This partnership facilitates access to medical expertise, resources, and specialized care when needed, improving the health outcomes for children in orphanages.
Overall, health checks at orphanages promote early detection, preventive care, individualized treatment, and the overall well-being of the children. They empower caregivers, foster collaborations, and ensure compliance with legal and ethical responsibilities. By prioritizing children’s health, orphanages can contribute to their long-term physical, mental, and emotional development.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) does not explicitly mention the right for a child to have health checks for vaccinations. The UNCRC recognizes and protects the right to the highest attainable standard of health for every child. This understanding includes ensuring access to healthcare services, preventive measures, and medical care for the child’s well-being.
The Mary K. Yap Foundation recognizes the active engagement of various international initiatives and organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, that work towards promoting and advocating for universal immunization and the importance of vaccinations for children’s health. These organizations emphasize the significance of immunizations in preventing diseases, reducing child mortality, and promoting overall health and well-being. While the UNCRC may not explicitly mention health checks for vaccinations, the right to health, as enshrined in the convention, implies the importance of providing comprehensive healthcare, including preventive measures such as vaccinations, to ensure the well-being and development of every child. Our Foundation takes enormous pride in formulating policies and guidelines with the national governments and INGO organizations to prioritize health check programs to protect children’s health and uphold their rights.
What are we doing to achieve Good Health and Well-Being?
Our Foundation is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of children in orphanages by implementing comprehensive programs that provide access to quality healthcare services, such as regular check-ups, vaccinations, and medical treatments; ensuring nutritious meals and clean water for proper nutrition and hydration; offering educational resources and opportunities for skill development; and providing psychological support, counseling, and recreational activities to nurture their mental and emotional well-being. These efforts are all aimed at creating a safe, nurturing environment where every child can thrive and reach their full potential, leading to a healthier lifestyle.
Aligned with Goal #3 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the following performance matrix quantifies our work across various categories, highlighting the number of campaigns launched, events organized, publications produced, and concrete actions taken toward achieving the goal. The table spans from the initiation of our progress to the present.
Good Health Well-being
CAMPAIGNS
EVENTS
PUBLICATIONS
ACTIONS
