- TITLE: Newborn Screening Program
- DESCRIPTION: Newborn screening (NBS) is an essential public health strategy that enables the early detection and management of several congenital 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.
A. Program Objectives: By 2030, all Filipino newborns are screened; Strengthen quality of service and intensify monitoring and evaluation of NBS implementation; Sustainable financial scheme; Strengthen patient management
Target Population: Filipino newborns
B. Area of Coverage: Nationwide
C. Partner Institutions: The following institutions/units and bodies are the primary partners of DOH-Family Health Office at the national level to ensure that appropriate policies, standards, logistics and technical assistance are available to all implementing units.:
- National Technical Working Group on Newborn Screening Program (NTWG- NBS)
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- NIH-Newborn Screening Reference Center (NIH-NSRC)
- DOH Epidemiology Bureau (EB)
- DOH Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau (HFSRB)
- DOH Health Facility Development Bureau (HFDB)
- DOH National Center for Health Promotion (NCHP)
- NIH - Institute of Human Genetics (NIH-IHG)
- Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
- Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC)
- Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)
D. 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
- Ensuring Efficient Operations, Systems and Networks Management
This shall be upgraded to reach areas that need access to newborn care. This includes construction and/or renovation of well-planned and equipped infrastructures to ensure quality service among patients and to engage more health facilities to offer NBS services (human resource for health-trained and capacitated)
- Expanding Package of Services and Delivery Network
In the next ten years, the program aims to shift fully into expanded newborn screening. Enrollment of new facilities and sustaining the operations of existing facilities is critical in increasing the coverage of service delivery. Strategic actions to increase the uptake of ENBS are critical to ensure nationwide implementation, which involves strong promotion, advocacy and cooperation of the newborn screening facilities.
- Enhancing Health Promotion and Advocacy
This requires a developed and well-coordinated comprehensive health promotion and communication plan targeting different audiences to increase awareness and uptake on expanded newborn screening. It shall also focus on information campaign by strengthening communication strategies using different media platforms.
- Optimizing Health Information Management Systems for Expanded Newborn Screening
This aims to optimize current investments on health management information systems by adopting interoperable, consensus-based, evidence—driven and standards-based vocabularies and system that maximize the use of electronic health record systems that will automatically process and send information and reports to (a) PhilHealth for verification of claims for NBS, and (b) the NBS registry for program planning and research purposes, among others.
- Strengthen Monitoring and Evaluation
Program monitoring and evaluation of procedures and systems, both for laboratory and administrative units shall be undertaken to ensure smooth implementation of the program. Periodic review of and tools should be done including quality assurance assessment.
- Establishing Sustainable Financing Scheme
The DOH, as the lead agency of the NBS program shall allocate funds for the set-up of new strategically located newborn screening centers. The National Comprehensive Newborn Screening System (NCNBSS) also ensures funding for researches relevant to the implementation of newborn screening at the national level that maybe utilized for policy recommendations The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) also ensures full coverage of expanded newborn screening, while LGUs and other stakeholders and partners are empowered to provide ways or means to make the NBS accessible and affordable, particularly on the economically depressed areas.
- Program Accomplishments/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).
Table 1 summarizes the phases and milestones of the Newborn Screening program in the country.
Table 1. Milestones in the History of Newborn Screening in the Philippines
February 22, 1996 | First organizational meeting attended by representatives from different PPS and POGS accredited hospitals in Metro Manila |
April 02, 1996 | Creation of the NBS Study group composed of Pediatric and OB-Gynecology consultants from participating hospitals. Project name: Philippine Newborn Screening Project |
June 27, 1996 | Commencement of the Philippine Newborn Screening Project in 24 participating hospitals (18 private and 6 government) |
June 1996 – September 1997 | Coordination with the New South Wales Newborn Screening Program in Australia for test performance and analysis |
September 18, 1997 | Start of operation of the Newborn Screening Laboratory at the National Institutes of Health, UP Manila |
March 1999 | Inclusion of the Newborn Screening Program in Child Health 2025, a planning framework on children’s health of the Department of Health with the ultimate goal of achieving good health for all Filipino children by the year 2025 |
July 30, 1999 | Creation of the Inter-agency Task Force on Newborn Screening composed of representatives from DOH as Chair, Institute of Human Genetics-National Institutes of Health, UP Manila, DILG, midwives’ association, and other health groups |
January 03, 2000 | Issuance of Administrative Order # 1-A s 2000 by the Department of Health stating the Policies for the Nationwide Implementation of Newborn Screening |
July 19, 2000 | Newborn Screening Study Group declared as Outstanding Health Research Awardee (OHRA) by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development |
February 07, 2001 | Issuance of Department Order No. 29-C s 2001 by DOH, Subject: “Creation of the National Technical Working Group on Newborn Screening Program under the National Center for Disease Prevention and Control”. The group was tasked to provide direction and guidance for the nationwide implementation of the NBS program (see Annex B). DO 29-C s 2001 has been amended by DPO 2005-1660 to reconstitute the NTWG membership |
February 21, 2003 | First National Awarding Ceremonies for the Outstanding Achievers in the Implementation of Newborn Screening sponsored by DOH and NIH |
May 01, 2003 | Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) awards a financial grant to the Institute of Human Genetics to intensify promotional and advocacy work on newborn screening in Regions 4, 6, 10, with funds allocated for the writing of a Manual of Operations for newborn screening |
December 09, 2003 | Issuance of DOH Administrative Order No 121, s 2003, Subject: “Strengthening Implementation of the National Newborn Screening System” |
January 20, 2004 | Issuance of the Presidential Proclamation No. 540, Subject: “Declaring the First Week of October of each year as “National Newborn Screening Awareness Week” |
April 07, 2004 | Enactment of Republic Act 9288 known as the Newborn Screening Act of 2004 |
October 07, 2004 | Signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Newborn Screening Act |
December 02, 2005 | Opening of the 2nd Newborn Screening Center in Visayas at West Visayas State University Medical Center |
January 22, 2006 | Inclusion of NBS in the licensing requirement of Philippine hospitals; 90% of NBS fee covered by national health insurance [PhilHealth] |
January 02, 2007 | Opening of Scholarships for Genetics and Endocrinology for regions without specialists |
December 2007 | Inclusion of Newborn Screening in the PhilHealth Newborn Care Package (NCP) |
June 12, 2008 | Issuance of DOH Memo No. 2009 – 0123 imposing the following targets: 30% - 2008, 50% - 2009 and 85% by 2010 |
June 28, 2008 | Creation of the NTWG Panel of Expert Committees |
August 08, 2008 | Issuance of AO No. 2008 – 0026 and 2008 - 0026A by DOH imposing penalties for non-implementation and/or overpricing of NBS |
May 20, 2009 | Setting up of additional G6PD Confirmatory Centers |
July 7, 2009 | Creation of the National Newborn Screening Follow-up Committee (NNSFC) |
October 5, 2009 | Opening of the 3rd Newborn Screening Center in Mindanao at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (formerly Davao Medical Center) |
October 2010 | Opening of the 4th Newborn Screening Center at the Angeles University Foundation Medical Center Central Luzon |
February 2011 | Creation of the Committee on Storage, Use and Disposal of the Residual Dried Blood Spots (DBS) |
June 2011 | Initial offering of the MS Genetic Counseling Program by the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) – Department of Pediatrics and UP Manila College of Medicine |
January 2012 | Inclusion of Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD) in the NBS Panel of Disorders |
September 2013 | Opening of the 5th NSC in Region 4A (CALABARZON) at Daniel O. Mercado Medical Center in Tanauan City, Batangas |
May 2014 | Setting up of Continuity Clinics in different parts of the Country |
December 2014 | Expanded Newborn Screening – inclusion of more than 20+ disorders in the NBS Panel of Disorders |
May 2017 | Opening of the 6th NSC in Northern Luzon at the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center |
January 2019 | Full coverage of expanded newborn screening in the PhilHealth Newborn Care Package |
February 2020 | Opening of the 7th NSC in Central Visayas at the Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital (ECSGH) in Jagobiao, Mandaue City, Cebu |
- Statistics and Reports
NBS program has grew from one to seven (7) operational Newborn Screening Centers (NSCs); from 24 pilot hospitals to more than 7000 Newborn Screening Facilities (NSFs) in 2020; from one to twenty-nine (29) G6PD Confirmatory Centers; and now with 14 continuity clinics for the long term management of patients.
Figure 1. National Newborn Screening Coverage per Year from 1996-2019
- Program Manager Contact Information
DIRECTORY OF PROGRAM IMPLEMENTERS
Children's Health Development Division
Disease Prevention and Control Bureau
National Newborn Screening Coordinator
Ms. Lita Orbillo
San Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila
Contact Number: (02) 87359956
Newborn Screening Reference Center
Director: Dr. Noel R. Juban
National Institutes of Health
University of the Philippines Manila
Unit 304 New Gold Bond Building
1579 F. T. Benitez St., Malate, Manila
Contact Numbers: (02) 82476002/ 06
Email: info@newbornscreening.ph
www.newbornscreening.ph
Newborn Screening Centers
For Regions I and II
Unit Head: Dr. Maria Paz Virginia K. Otayza
Newborn Screening Center – Northern Luzon
Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center
4F/5F MMMHMC Laboratory Bldg., Brgy 6
San Julian, Batac City, Ilocos Norte
Contact Number: (077) 677 3161
Email: nscnorthernluzon@gmail.com
For Regions III & CAR
Unit Head: Dr. Bernadette C. Halili-Mendoza
Newborn Screening Center – Central Luzon
Angeles City University Foundation Medical Center
MacArthur Highway, Barangay Salapungan, Angeles City
Contact Number: (045) 6246502-03
Email: nscaufmc@gmail.com
For Region IVA
Newborn Screening Center– Southern Luzon
Unit Head: Dr. Alma P. Andal
Daniel O. Mercado Medical Center
3rd Flr. DMMC-HIS Bldg., 143 Narra St., Mountview Subd. Tanauan City
Contact Numbers: (043) 7027715 / 19
Email Address: nsc.southernluzon@gmail.com
For Regions IVB, V, & NCR
Newborn Screening Center– National Institutes of Health
Unit Head: Dr. Anna Lea Elizaga
Building H, UP Ayala Land Technohub Complex
Commonwealth Avenue, Brgy. UP Campus
Diliman, Quezon City
Contact Numbers: (02) 83760962 / 64/ 65 /67
Email Address: nsc-nih@up.edu.ph
For Regions VI & VIII
Newborn Screening Center– Visayas
Unit Head: Dr. J Edgar Winston Posecion
West Visayas State University Medical Center
E. Lopez St., Jaro, Iloilo City
Contact Number: (033) 329-3744
Email: nscvis@gmail.com
For Region VII
Newborn Screening Center– Central Visayas
Unit Head: Dr. Liwayway Reyes
Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital
(Outpatient Department Basement)
Northroad, Jagobiao, Mandaue City, Cebu 6014
Contact Numbers: (032)-2723036
Email: nsccvcebu@gmail.com
For Mindanao Regions
Newborn Screening Center– Mindanao
Unit Head: Dr. Conchita Abarquez
Southern Philippines Medical Center
J.P. Laurel Avenue, Davao City
Contact Numbers: (082) 226-4595 / 224-0337 / 227-4152
Email: nbsprogram@nscmindanao.ph
DOH-Regional Offices
REGION | CONTACT NUMBER | NBS PROGRAM MANAGER | NURSE COORDINATOR |
1 Ilocos | (072) 607 64 31 Loc 103 | CYRUS JED G. RAMOS, RN | NICOLE MARIE S. BUGARIN, RN |
2 Cagayan Valley | (078) 304-6523 | ANABELLE S. PAGUIRIGAN, MD | NOVELYN LACUANAN, RN |
3 Central Luzon | (045) 861-3425 to 29/ 861-3701/ 861-1033/ 455-3297 Local 115 | JANET T. MICLAT, MD | Madeline Gayle L. Tayag, RN |
CAR | 074 442 8097 | ANACHRIS M. KILAKIL, MD MPM | Bernadette K. Espina, RN |
NCR | (02) 8531-0021, 8531-0027, 8531-0034 local 107 |
| Claire Alincastre, RN Janice C. Acosta, RN Jhoanna Katrina A. Luna, RN |
4A CALABARZON | (02) 913-3616 | JENICA S. QUERIDO, RN | LADY CAMILLE M. DELOS REYES, RN JOSE ANTONIO I. YAP, RN |
4B MIMAROPA | (02) 9120195 loc 449 | DR. MATHEW R. MEDRANO | Fe Laarni Camayang, RN |
5 Bicol | 052 204-0040 | DR. MONREAY ISAIAH MANCILLA | TWINKLE JEAN P. LORILLA, RM, RN JOSEPH SARAH MAE B. MAGTAGNOB, RM, RN |
6 Western Visayas | (033) 321-3673 / (033) 321-1036 | RENILYN P. REYES, MD, MPA, DPPS | GRACE P. EXMUNDO, RN FLORENCE MAY P. OSANO, RN |
7 Central Visayas | (032) 253-6355 (032) 418-7633 | JOAN ANTONETTE R. ALBITO, MD | RUFF VINCENT I. VALDEVIESO, RN, JAIKA JEL D. BESIRA, RN |
8 Eastern Visayas | (053) 323-5027/ 323-5028 | DR. FIDELITA D. DICO, MD, MSc | Wenonah Wae B. Tutaan, RN |
9 Zamboanga Peninsula | (062) 9830314; (062) 9830315 | NERISSA B. GUTTIEREZ, RN | Apryl Joy Calibot-Gresones, RN |
10 Northern Mindanao | (088) 8587123 | Pauline Angela F. Balansag, RN | Gil Bernard D. Samante, RN |
11 Davao Region | (082) 305-1904 | DR. RACHEL JOY PASION | Angelica Nina Angliongto Rhoebelle Ann R. Balio, RN |
12 SOCCSSKSARGEN | (064)-4212196 | MARY AGNES A. PANTON, RN, MPA | Rohainnah M. Mua, RN |
13 Caraga | (085) 3411595; (085) 3425208 loc 115 | CHERYL MARY L. PLAZA | Daniel C. Montilla, RN |
ARMM | (064) 4217703 | Ms. Erlyn Hampac, RN | HALMIRA P. NUL, RN |
Continuity Clinics
REGION | HOST FACILITY | CONTACT NUMBER | MEDICAL SPECIALIST | NURSE COORDINATOR |
I (Ilocos Region) | Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center | (072) 700-1766 | Ivy Rose Valdez, MD | Vanessa B. Mabalo, RN |
II (Cagayan Valley) | Cagayan Valley Medical Center | (078) 302-0000 loc 146 | Grandelee D. Taquiqui, MD | Ma. Cristina L. Soriano, RN |
Cordillera Autonomous Region | Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center | (074) 442-4216 loc 359 | Sharon B. Gawigawen, MD | Florenz Ronielo G. Nastor, RN |
III (Central Luzon) | Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital | (045) 961-3921/3380 | Ma. Victoria L. Macalino, MD | Ma. Francesca P. Retomarta, RN |
National Capital Region | Philippine General Hospital | (02) 554-8400 | Maria Melanie Liberty B. Alcausin | Gellie Ann E. Golfo, RN |
IV-A (CALABARZON) | General Emilio Aguinaldo Memorial Hospital | (046) 419-1714 | Laura Ma. Soledad A. Aguinaldo, MD | Jhonalyn D. Bantigue, RN |
V (Bicol Region) | Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital | Telefax (052) 483-0015 loc 4314 | Marive F. Declaro, MD | Mary Joy C. Manamtam, RN |
VI (Western Visayas) | West Visayas State University Medical Center | (033) 320-2431 loc 110 | Karen June V. Ventilacion, MD | Diana V. Pondevida, RN |
VII (Central Visayas) | Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center | (032) 253-9891 to 99 loc 212 | Ma. Rita Anna Salve R. Boligao, MD | Lucille Jra. D. Largo, RN |
VIII (Eastern Visayas) | Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center | (053) 321-3129, 832-0308 | Nancy G. Honor, MD | Eldeliza C. Campomanes, RN |
IX (Zamboanga Peninsula) | Zamboanga City Medical Center | (062) 991-2934 | Mirasol S. Ellong, MD, DPPS | Iris R. Tomas, RN |
X (Northern Mindanao) | Northern Mindanao Medical Center | (08822) 726362 loc. 359 | Rona O. Ortencio, MD, DPPS | Udall Armand H. Cabading, RN, PTRP |
XI (Davao Region) | Southern Philippines Medical Center | (082) 227 2731 loc 4617 | Genelynne J. Beley, MD | Margaret C. Sibug, RN, MN |
XII (SOCCSKSARGEN) | Cotabato Regional Medical Center | (064) 421-2340 Loc 510 | Maria Christina B. Eran | Juledene M. Mendoza, RN |
G6PD Confirmatory Centers
G6PD CONFIRMATORY CENTER | ADDRESS | CONTACT NUMBER | |
CAR | |||
1 | Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center | Gov Pack Rd., 2600 Baguio City | (074) 661 7910 |
REGION I | |||
2 | Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center | Parian, San Fernando City, La Union | (072) 607 6422/ 607 6418 loc 159 |
3 | Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center | Brgy. 6, San Julian City of Batac, Ilocos Norte | (077) 600 8000 loc 4113 or 1101 |
4 | Region 1 Medical Center | Arellano Street, Poblacion Oeste Dagupan City | (075) 515-8916 local 145 |
REGION II | |||
5 | Cagayan Valley Medical Center | #2 Dalan na Pagayaya Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City | (078) 302-0000 |
REGION III | |||
6 | Angeles University Foundation Medical Center | Mac Arthur Hi-way, Angeles City | (045) 625 2999 loc 2888 / 625 2924 |
7 | Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center | Manahan St., Tenejero, Balanga City | (047) 237 1274 to 75 |
REGION IV-A | |||
8 | Batangas Medical Center | Kumintang Ibaba, Batangas City | (043) 740 8303/04/07 loc 1099 |
9 | Lipa Medix Medical Center | J.P. Laurel Highway, Balintawak, Lipa City | (043) 756 2372 loc 1023-24 |
10 | University of Perpetual Help Dr. Jose G. Tamayo Medical Center- Binan (Perpetual Help Medical Center-Biñan|) | National Highway, Sto. Niño, Biñan City, Laguna | (02) 779-5310/ (049) 544-5150 |
REGION IV-B | |||
11 | Medical Mission Group Hospitals and Health Services Cooperative– Puerto Princesa Chapter | Corner Burgos & Mabini Sts., Puerto Princesa City, Palawan | (048) 434 3255 |
NCR | |||
12 | Manila Central University- Filemon D. Tanchoco Medical Foundation, Inc. | Samson Road, EDSA, Caloocan City | (02) 363 3084; 367 2031 local 1114 |
13 | Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital | 46 P. Sanchez St., Sta Mesa Manila | (02) 716 3901 loc 3513, 3390 |
14 | The Medical City | Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City, Metro Manila | (02) 988 1000 loc 6125 |
15 | University of Perpetual Help Dalta Medical Center | Alabang Zapote Rd. Pamplona II, Las Pinas City | (02) 874 8515 loc 153 |
REGION V | |||
16 | BICOL REGIONAL TRAINING AND TEACHING HOSPITAL | Rizal St. Legazpi City Albay | 052 (483-1088/483-0806) |
REGION VI | |||
17 | West Visayas State University Medical Center | E. Lopez St., Jaro, Iloilo City | (033) 320 2431 local 656 |
18 | Dr. Pablo O. Torre Memorial Hospital | B.S. Aquino Drive, Bacolod City 6100, Negros Occidental, Philippines | (034) 433 7331 loc. 3115/3116 |
REGION VII | |||
19 | Cebu Doctors' University Hospital | Osmeña Boulevard Capitol Site, Cebu City 6000 | (032) 255 5555 loc 122 , 179 |
20 | Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital | M. Parras St., Tagbilaran City, Bohol | (038) 411-4868, (038) 411-4869 |
REGION VIII | |||
21 | Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center c | Brgy. Bacagay, Tacloban City | 0967 356 2445 |
REGION IX | |||
22 | Brent Hospital | R.T. Lim Blvd. Zamboanga City | (062) 990 1963 |
REGION X | |||
23 | Cagayan De Oro Polymedic Medical Plaza | Kauswagan Highway, Cagayan De Oro City | (088) 8576911 |
24 | La Vina General Hospital | L. Alkuiro St. Valencia City, Bukidnon | (088) 828 5132, 828 6150 |
25 | Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro Sr. Medical Center | Maningcol, Ozamiz City | (088) 521 0440 |
REGION XI | |||
26 | Tagum Doctors Hospital | Highway 5A Rabe Subd., Tagum City | (084) 655 9297 loc 109 |
27 | Davao Medical School Foundation Hospital | DMSF Drive, Bajada, Davao City | (082) 227 9330 loc 1143 |
REGION XII | |||
28 | General Santos Doctors Hospital | National Highway, General Santos City | (083) 250 2777 / 250-2888 |
29 | Kidapawan Doctors Hospital | Quezon Blvd. Kidapawan City | (064) 577 4480 loc 508 |
date updated: August 11, 2020