It’s all for the sake of the newborns.
“Makati City has been cited by the University of the Philippines Manila-National Institutes for Health for its best practices in the Newborn Screening Program at three lying-in clinics in the villages of Bangkal, East Rembo, and Guadalupe Nuevo,” reports Manila Standard Today.
Makati residents will be ecstatic to know that the newborn screening availment has increased since the program was launched in July 2006. Infants are screened for six treatable diseases caused by congenital metabolic disorders that can cause mental retardation or death: Congenital Hypothyrodism, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, Galactosemia, Phenylketonuria, G6PD deficiency, and Maple Syrup Urine.
Parents whose babies are found positive for any of the said conditions are contacted right away and referred to doctors who can help them deal with their baby’s health issues.
According to the report, newborn screening is covered by PhilHealth, so members can avail of the service free of charge at the city-run birthing clinics. Don’t have PhilHealth? You pay PHP600.
Photo from MorgueFile
