02/10/2025
𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐨 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠
The Davao City Health Office (CHO) reinforced its initiatives as the country marks the National Newborn Screening Week to raise public awareness on the importance of early screening for congenital disorders among newborns.
Dr. Joy Espina, Children’s Health Medical Coordinator of the CHO, emphasized the life-saving potentials of Newborn Screening, as not doing so may result to mental retardation, or worst cases, death.
“Ang newborn screening is usa na siya ka examination para sa mga bagong panganak na mga bata para mahibalan or ma-screen atung 28 na mga sakit kung dili nato ma-screen og sayo, dili nato mahibal-an og positive or dili, pwede maka-cause og mental retardation, severe physical disability, ug pinaka kuyaw is pwede gud siya muhantong to death (Newborn screening is a medical examination conducted on newborn infants to identify 28 congenital disorders. If screening is not performed early, these conditions may go undetected, potentially resulting in mental retardation, severe physical disabilities, or, in the most critical cases, death),” she told Health Alert: City Health Office over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
The CHO will also hold a Multidisciplinary Clinical Consultation Activity on October 14, 2025, at Apo View Hotel, which will cater to children diagnosed with conditions covered under the Expanded Newborn Screening Program, providing them access to specialists and coordinated care.
Dr. Espina also stressed the urgency of conducting the screening within the first 24 hours after birth.
“Dapat 24 hours after pagkapanganak sa baby, dapat ma-screen na gud sila for newborn screening kay naa man guy mga sakit na kung dili nato maaagapan, pwede ikamatay sa bata within one month if wala na-diagnosed (Newborns should undergo screening within 24 hours after birth, as there are certain conditions that, if not detected and managed early, may lead to death within the first month of life),” she added.
The Expanded Newborn Screening (ENBS), which tests for 29 disorders, costs ₱1,750. However, it is already covered under the Newborn Care Package (NCP) for PhilHealth members, ensuring that essential health services are accessible during the infant’s first days of life.
The CHO also continues to encourage parents, caregivers, and health workers to prioritize newborn screening as a standard procedure in postnatal care. CIO
