Sittie Aliah Descallar, IPHO information officer and newborn screening coordinator, said newborn screening is intended for early detection of metabolic disorders that may lead to mental retardation or even death if left untreated.
She said in Ozor ka, Ranao! radio program of the Philippine Information Agency that newborn screening is a simple procedure which allows health professionals to identify metabolic disorders and treat them immediately.
The test, which is ideally done on the 48 to 72 hours after birth, screens six disorders. These are congenital hypothyroidism (CH), congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), galactosemia (GAL), phenylketonuria (PKU), maple syrup urine disease (MSUD), and glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.
Descallar explained that the screening process is fast and easy. Only a few drops of blood are taken from baby’s heel and placed on a special absorbent filter card for testing.
She also said that newborn screening is free of charge for parents who are PhilHealth members. For non-PhilHealth members, the fee is only P600 to cover the P550 cost of the kit and P50 collection fee.
The fee is not expensive compared to the cost of treatment if the baby is not screened immediately, Descallar noted..
She said treatment, at a later time, can cost more than P6,000 per day.
In Lanao del Sur, newborn screening is available in PhilHealth-accredited birthing homes; City Health Office; Amai Pakpak Medical Center; district hospitals in Wao, Unayan, Malabang, Balindong, and Tamparan; as well as in 15 rural health units (RHUs) in the province. These are the RHUs in Masui, Calanogas, Balindong, Wao, Gannasi, Butig, Malabang, Picong, Ditsaan-Ramain, Bubong, Buadipuso Buntong; Taraka, Tamparan, Lumba Bayabao, and Kapai. (APB//PIA-10)
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