Nominations open for newborn screening search

Thursday, May 19, 2011

SPECIAL awards will be given to individuals or groups that have made exemplary contributions to the newborn screening program of the government through the Department of Health (DOH).

In a memorandum issued to all city and municipal mayors and governors, Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo reminded all local governments to strictly adhere to Republic Act 9288, or the Newborn Screening Act of 2004.

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Robredo issued the memorandum following data showing there was no significant increase in nationwide newborn screening.

In his April 25, 2011 memorandum, Robredo said that at the end of 2010, only 596,887 or 35 percent of the total newborn population was screened, of which 206,681 babies were screened from local government unit-run health facilities.

Newborn screening is a public health program for the early identification of disorders that can lead to mental retardation or death. It was integrated in the public health delivery system for every baby to be screened and for local governments to provide newborn screening services.

Robredo reminded all local government officials to include in the agenda of local health boards the formulation and adoption of policies on newborn screening.

The NBS awards, meanwhile, will include recognition of NBS education in the community, NBS advocacy in the community, NBS financing, community support, local government unit support and linkages with other agencies.

Nominees could be individuals or groups. An executive summary contained in two pages of short bond paper of works done to implement NBS is required.

Nomination forms and other mechanics are available at DoH's website.

Deadline of submission is on or before May 31.

Nominations should be mailed to the National Newborn Screening Week Awards Committee, Rm. 214 National institute of Health, University of the Philippines-Manila.