by Franklin P. Gumapon
DIPOLOG CITY, Nov. 10 (PIA) -- To give all newborns a chance to live a normal life, the Department of Health (DOH), through the city/municipal health centers, is now urging parents to have their infants undergo newborn screening (NBS).
NBS coordinator Liberty S. Sybico of the City Health Office (CHO) here said newborns should be screened to find out whether they have metabolic
congenital disorders that may lead to mental retardation or early death.
“Should a child have a metabolic congenital disorder, NBS provides the opportunity for early
treatment of diseases,” said Sybico.
NBS is a simple procedure to find out if the baby has a congenital metabolic disorder, which may lead to mental retardation and even death, if left untreated.
Public and private hospitals as well as birthing homes are required to promote NBS as mandated under Republic Act No. 9288 or the Newborn Screening Act of 2004.
The law aims to ensure that every newborn has access to newborn screening to detect certain heritable condition. Parents must recognize their responsibility in promoting their child’s right to health and full development by protecting him/her from preventable causes of disability and death
through newborn screening. (JPA/FPG/PIA-Zambonga del Norte)