BUTUAN CITY -- The Department of Health Center for Health Development (DOH CHD) Caraga in partnership with the Agusan del Norte Provincial Hospital (ADNPH) made a significant stride towards improving the health outcome of newborns in the region with the inauguration of its Newborn Screening Continuity Clinic on Monday, April 24, 2023.
The clinic is the first of its kind in the region and aims to provide continued care for newborns who are tested with the mandatory newborn screening program. The clinic will provide follow-up services, consultations, and necessary interventions to ensure that newborns with health issues receive proper treatment and care.
The ADNPH Newborn Screening Continuity Clinic will serve as the main continuity clinic in the region, equipped to sustain the care for newborn screening disorders.
Dr. Beverly B. Tero, RPH, MD, DPAFP, the Provincial Health Officer I of ADNPH, emphasized the importance of continuity of care for newborns in her welcome message. She stated that the clinic is a significant step towards improving the health outcomes of newborns in the region. "This is the first continuity clinic that the region has. We accepted the challenge though it's not easy, I believe it will give a significant impact on the lives of the people here[... ]The children are our future," she stressed.
Dr. Michelle E. Abadingo, the Director of the Newborn Screening Reference Center, highlighted the importance of collaboration among different stakeholders in ensuring that patients receive the care they need. "Through the collaborations of the different stakeholders, we're hand in hand to ensure that the patients will be receiving the needs for his/her disorder, and their families will have a good quality of life. We will assure that the patients will reach their full potential.
“This continuity clinic will help us achieve in fulfilling the noble purpose in life by saving the growth of these children," said Mr. Frederick Beltran, RN, MPH, the project development officer III of the Newborn Screening Reference Center.
The ADNPH Newborn Screening Continuity Clinic will be managed by Dr. Riza A. Felias, RMT, MD, who will serve as the follow-up head of ADNPH NBSCC together with Jessa S. Patuasic, RN, as the follow-up nurse. The clinic will work closely with the local government units and barangay health workers to identify and refer newborns who require follow-up care.
"We are proud to the ADNPH to be the first hospital in the region to offer a continuity clinic for newborn screening. We hope that more hospitals and healthcare institutions will follow suit as a satellite clinic for newborns so that we can provide better care for our newborns and ensure their healthy development," said Cheryl Mary Plaza, family health cluster head, in her closing remarks.
The ADNPH Newborn Screening Continuity Clinic is now open and ready to serve its patients. With this new facility, the ADNPH aims to save more lives and provide better care for newborns in the region. (DOH-CHD Caraga/PIA Caraga)
