The MMCHD awards LGUs for exceptional commitment and achievement in the conduct of Newborn Screening Programs.  (Photo Courtesy: Pasig City PIO) 

QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – The Department of Health - Metro Manila Center for Health Development (DOH-MMCHD) conferred a Certificate of Recognition and an Exemplary Award to different city health offices (CHOs) in the National Capital Region (NCR) that demonstrated an exceptional conduct of newborn screening programs. 

The initiative is anchored on the active promotion of health and well-being of all newborns in Metro Manila through the advancement of primary care towards reducing preventable threats to public health. 

The recipients of accolades include the Valenzuela CHO alongside the Polo and Paso de Blas Lying-In Clinics, which are among the healthcare facilities that actively aided in the delivery of newborn screening efforts in the city. 

“This recognition sheds light on the city's dedication to ensuring the health and well-being of its residents. [It] underscores the city's meticulous approach to healthcare and its unwavering commitment to maintaining high standards in public health programs,” said the Valenzuela City government, citing its goal of providing timely and effective healthcare among its youngest citizens by proactively addressing potential health concerns through newborn screening.

In addition, the local government unit (LGU) of Pasig also received the Exemplary Award following the quality newborn care of the Santolan Super Health Center. 

“Ang mga pagkilalang tulad nito ay nagsisilbing patunay sa patuloy na pagbibigay prayoridad ng Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Pasig tungo sa Kalusugang Pangkalahatan na may pagbibigay diin sa primary health care, tulad ng newborn screening (Recognitions like this serve as a testament to the continuous prioritization that the City Government of Pasig gives towards Universal Health Care which also underpins primary health care, such as newborn screening),” said the Pasig City government. 

“Ang awards na tulad nito ay nagsisilbi ring inspirasyon upang mas palawigin at mas mapabuti pa ang implementasyon ng Universal Healthcare sa Lungsod ng Pasig (Awards like these also serve as an inspiration to further amplify and improve the implementation of Universal Health Care in Pasig City),” it added. 

Meanwhile, the Makati, Taguig, and Quezon City government likewise joined the roster of top performing LGUs in terms of the outstanding newborn screening program implementation and need-responsive primary care facility. The MMCHD extended the recognition to East-Rembo Lying-in Clinic, Taguig-Pateros District Hospital, Central Bicutan Super Health Center and Rosario Maclang Bautista General Hospital, respectively. 

Aside from certificates and plaque, the awardees also received a P100,000 worth of Expanded Newborn Screening (ENBS) filter cards for the utilization of CHOs to ensure the continuous implementation of local newborn screening programs.  

The DOH considers newborn screening as  a vital public health strategy based on how it offers early detection measures to identify certain conditions that may lead to serious health concerns. 

Among the diseases that can be detected through the Newborn Screening include Congenital Hypothyroidism, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, Galactosemia, Phenylketonuria, G6PD Deficiency, and Maple Syrup Urine Disease. 

By incentivizing the efforts of LGUs in the aspect of improving the access of every newborn to newborn screening, the objective of the country to establish a sustainable public health delivery system becomes more attainable.  

The Newborn Screening Program Recognition and Awarding Ceremony was held last October 10, 2023, in line with the National Newborn Screening Week. (PIA-NCR)