Newborn Screening

Newborn screening (NBS) is an essential public health strategy that enables the early detection
and management of several congenital metabolic disorders, which if left untreated, may lead to
mental retardation and/or death. Early diagnosis and initiation of treatment, along with appropriate
long-term care help ensure normal growth and development of the affected individual. It has been
an integral part of routine newborn care in most developed countries for five decades, either as a
health directive or mandated by law. In the Philippines, it is a service available since 1996.

VISION

The National Comprehensive Newborn Screening System envision all Filipino child will be born
healthy and well, with an inherent right to life, endowed with human dignity; and Reaching her/his
full potential with the right opportunities and accessible resources.

MISSION

To ensure that all Filipino children will have access to and avail of total quality care for the
optimal growth and development of their full potential.

GOAL

By year 2025, all Filipino newborns are screened for the more common and life-threatening
congenital metabolic disorders

POLICIES AND LAWS

RA 9288 or the Newborn Screening Act of 2004 and DOH AO No. 2014-0045 or the Guidelines
on the Implementation of the Expanded Newborn Screening Program

STRATEGIES ACTION POINTS AND HIGHLIGHTS

1. Operations/ Systems/ Network

Expanded Newborn Screening (eNBS) has been made available since December of 2014. This
panel now covers more disorders to be tested (endocrinology, hemoglobinopathies, metabolic).
Recognizing that eNBS is more beneficial for newborns, the program looks forward to the full
transition from the NBS 6-test to eNBS by 2018. This will ensure the continuity and sustainability
of quality testing and follow-up service to newborns in the country.
Development of a reference laboratory for confirmation of metabolic disorders.
Establishment of a treatment/referral network and other components necessary for the efficient
implementation of the program.
Increase in the number of G6PD confirmatory centers, ideally one center per province. Today, a
total 25 G6PD laboratory are established.
Establishment of additional Newborn Screening Centers (NSCs) in strategic areas in the country
(Region 7, Bicol Region, Southern Mindanao) in the next 4 years. The timing of the opening of
the NSCs is dependent on the volume of samples from the catchment area of the proposed sites.
NSC in Northern Luzon was opened on May 2017.
Upgrading of Newborn Screening National Laboratory Information Systems
2. Treatment and Management

Identification of regional NBS follow-up clinics to handle the long term follow up of confirmed
patients. Today, there are 14 Continuity Clinics nationwide.
Undertake collaborations with medical subspecialty organizations (e.g. pediatric hematology,
neonatology and pediatric endocrinology) critical in the proper and standardized referral and
management of positive cases, in line with the expansion of screening.
Conduct of Monthly Case Audits among NSCs to ensure that babies with positive screens are
provided with prompt and appropriate management essential for preventing debilitating
consequences of the disorders being screened. The Case Audits are attended by the NSC Follow-
up Teams and the adviser of the Newborn Screening National Follow-up Committee (NNSFC)
chair, and presided by the National Follow-up Coordinator.
Facilitate provision of scholarships to new MS Genetics Counseling students. These prospective
graduates are expected to respond to the counseling need of the patients and their families who
will be identified positive by the program.
Support fellows-in-training in the fields of Pediatric Endocrinology and Clinical Genetics at the
Philippine General Hospital
3. Financing

Currently, PHIC is funding the basic screening of six disorders for P550 for its members. The
expanded newborn screening costs P1500 and remains as an option to parents, wherein PhP 550 is
covered by PHIC and the remaining PhP 950 as an out of pocket expense of the family.
Discussions with PHIC for possible full coverage of expanded newborn screening is ongoing. The
successful transition from the NBS 6-test to eNBS is dependent on the financing capacity of the
program to implement eNBS in full.
4. Advocacy/ Promotion/ Linkages

Inclusion of NBS in the assessment criteria of performance-based grants (e.g. those in scorecards)
to serve as leverage for the LGUs to make sure all their MCP accredited facilities are performing
NBS package.
Incorporation of NBS in pre-natal education
Inclusion of NBS in curricula for public health, medical, nursing, midwifery, and law schools
Development of expanded newborn screening IECs for various audiences
5. Program Monitoring and Evaluation

DOH and DILG to continue program monitoring of strict implementation of the Law and the IRR
and strengthen the capacity of the NSRC, ROs and LGUs in regulatory and monitoring aspects.
The DOH and program implementers to remain aggressive in identifying strategies to intensify
awareness in the communities and increase coverage among home deliveries
6. Capability Building

The Regional Offices will continuously provide capability building activities to increase the
knowledge of the health professionals included in the Women’s Health Teams or Barangay Health
Teams on the importance of NBS and help empower parents to plan and prepare for the cost of
having their baby undergo newborn screening.

PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENT STATUS

Today, the Department of Health and partnering stakeholders remain aggressive in its efforts to
push the numbers of screened babies upward across the nation and to ensure quality standards in
the implementation of the National Comprehensive Newborn Screening System (NCNBSS).

STATISTICS AND REPORTS

NBS program has grew from one to six (6) operational Newborn Screening Centers (NSC); from
24 pilot hospitals to 6,411 Newborn Screening Facilities (NSFs), of which 1,337 health facilities
are offering the expanded newborn screening services; from one to twenty-five (25) G6PD
Confirmatory Centers; and now with 14 continuity clinics for the long term management of
patients.