by Family Health Cluster- Newborn Care Program DOH-CHD SOCCSKSARGEN
The Department of Health–Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) SOCCSKSARGEN is strengthening its push for universal newborn care through a series of regionwide implementation review and strategic planning workshops that gathered healthcare workers, hospital representatives, and newborn screening coordinators from February to March 2026.
Dubbed “Strengthening Partnerships: Newborn Care Program (NCP) Implementation Review and Strategic Planning Workshops,” the four-batch activity brought together participants from Sarangani and General Santos City, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Cotabato Province to assess program performance, address operational challenges, and map out strategies for 2026.
A total of 215 government and private hospitals, birthing homes, and lying-in facilities participated in the workshops, reflecting the region’s growing commitment to improving newborn care services and ensuring that no infant is left behind.
The initiative comes as SOCCSKSARGEN surpassed the Department of Health’s expanded newborn screening target in 2025, recording an unofficial coverage rate of 103.28%. The achievement exceeds the national goal of reaching 95% expanded newborn screening coverage by 2030 under the Universal Health Care Law.
For health officials, the milestone highlights both the progress made and the need to sustain high-quality screening and referral systems.“The success of newborn care in our region relies on collaboration, adherence to standards, and a shared responsibility to ensure no newborn is left behind,” said Rohainnah M. Mua, Newborn Care Program Manager, in her opening remarks.
The workshops served as a platform for frontline healthcare providers, including nurses, midwives, clerks, and facility owners, to review existing policies, share best practices, and formulate facility-specific action plans aimed at improving newborn screening services.
Participants also received technical updates from partner institutions involved in newborn care and screening.
Perly F. Bermudez, of Newborn Screening Center (NSC)-Mindanao, emphasized the importance of specimen quality and timely submission of samples to avoid delays in diagnosis. “Timely submission and proper collection of specimens are critical to reducing delays and ensuring accurate results,” Bermudez said.
Dr. Maria Christina Bondoc-Eran of the Newborn Screening Continuity Clinic–Cotabato Regional and Medical Center underscored the importance of strong referral systems for newborns with confirmed conditions, while Dr. Sheila May Pandan of PhilHealth XII clarified policies concerning claims for the Enhanced Newborn Care Package, particularly for referred newborns delivered within 24 hours.
Specialized discussions on inborn errors of metabolism and genetic conditions were also presented to help healthcare providers strengthen their understanding of complex newborn conditions requiring early intervention.
Provincial and city health offices showcased local innovations that contributed to improved program implementation. Representatives from Sarangani, General Santos City, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Cotabato Province shared strategies that enhanced screening coverage, improved monitoring systems, and reduced unsatisfactory specimen rates.
Outstanding healthcare facilities were also recognized during the workshops for achieving zero unsatisfactory newborn screening samples in 2025. Among the awardees were Rural Health Unit–Tantangan, Emelia Ancuna-Amante Birthing Home, South Cotabato Provincial Hospital, Hinalaan Birthing Home in Kalamansig, Mlang Birthing Home, Tacurong Doctors’ Hospital, Birhen sa Regla Medical Clinic and Hospital of Tulunan, and Community Health Services Cooperative Hospital of Midsayap.
Beyond recognition, the workshops resulted in concrete agreements aimed at strengthening newborn care implementation across the region in 2026. Healthcare facilities agreed to reinforce follow-up and reporting systems through the Newborn Screening Census Reporting System. Structured training requests for Expanded Newborn Screening, Essential Intrapartum and Newborn Care, and Newborn Hearing Screening were also clarified to ensure continued referral coordination, improve monitoring of performance indicators, and strengthen patient capacity-building among healthcare workers.
