Newborn Screening

Newborn screening (NBS) is a simple procedure to find out if your baby has a congenital metabolic disorder that may lead to mental retardation and even death if left untreated. It is estimated that NBS can save 33,000 babies each year. The 2009 NBS coverage is around 28% (using the population base of 1.7 M births). The combined effort of the government, health workers, NGOs and advocates is expected to increase coverage in the coming years. more...

Brief History of NBS

The practice of newborn screening in the Philippines started in 1996 when the Philippine Newborn Screening Project, a multi-center trial was launched by a group of doctors which comprised the Newborn Screening Study Group. The program was initially participated by 18 private and 6 government hospitals.
In 2004, Newborn Screening in the Philippines became a practice mandated by the law through the enactment of the Newborn Screening Act of the Philippines (Republic Act 9288, April 6, 2004) and the signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulation of RA 9288 (October 5, 2004). With the passage of these laws, NBS was integrated in the health delivery system, included in the license requirement of hospitals and as one of the benefits of the national health insurance (PhilHealth).

Newborn Screening Centers

Newborn Screening Center-NIH UP-Ayala TechnoHub, Commonwealth Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City (1997)(formerly housed at the National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila)Newborn Screening Center - VisayasWest Visayas State University Medical Center, La Paz, Iloilo City (2006)Newborn Screening Center - MindanaoSouthern Philippines Medical Center, Davao City (2009)Newborn Screening Center - Central LuzonAngeles University Foundation, Medical Center (AUFMC), Angeles City, Pampanga (2010Newborn Screening Center - Southern LuzonDaniel Mercado Medical Center, Tanauan, BatangasNewborn Screening Center - Northern LuzonLocationNewborn Screening Center - Central VisayasLocation
NEWBORN SCREENING REFERENCE CENTER Locationhttp://www.newbornscreening.ph/