THE Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has expanded its Newborn Care Package (NCP), an official of the government health insurance company said.

Kleah Gayle Guevara, PhilHealth-Davao public relations officer 2, said in a media interview Thursday, January 17, that the enhanced package was the last and latest package issuance of their office on December 21, 2018 which took effect on January 5.

She added that the package rate has increased from P1,750 to P2,950.

“Ang kabag-ohan ani, apil gihapon tong essential screening sa baby and then naay expansion sa new born screening test, dira gina-check kung naay congenital defects na if kung pasagdan lang nimo it could lead into serious condition or pwede pud fatal siya for the babies (The essential screening are still there but there is an expansion on the newborn screening test, wherein included in the expanded screening are the congenital defects that if disregarded could lead into serious condition or these could be fatal to babies),” Guevara added.

She said that the expanded newborn screening test will be able to detect endocrine, amino and fatty acid disorders, organic acid urea cycle defect, cystic fibrosis, hemoglobinopathies, biotinidase deficiency and other disorders.

The PhilHealth officer added that the screening has also expanded into 28 panels of disorders from six panels of disorders.

She also said to avail of the package a parent must be an active member of PhilHealth with nine months contribution within the past 12 months and must submit the documents before discharging from the health facility.

Their press release also stated that to ensure the entitlement of the benefit, newborns need to be in the facility for at least 24 hours after birth.

She said that the package can be availed in almost all health facilities in Davao since most of the facilities in Davao region are 100 percent PhilHealth accredited. RJC