by Mariel Franceska M. Magat
In line with the Newborn Screening Center – Central Luzon’s (NSC-CL) continuous efforts to improve the quality of newborn screening (NBS) services in Region 3 and CAR, Newborn Screening Facilities (NSFs) in Pampanga with the highest number of unfit samples were invited to attend a half-day Orientation on Sample Quality and Laboratory Tour at NSC-CL. The orientation sessions were conducted on November 12, 19, and 20, and December 9, 10, and 16, and were divided into six batches to accommodate participants from various areas, including Angeles City, San Fernando City, Mabalacat, and other municipalities in Pampanga.
Each session began with a brief welcome from Mrs. Ma. Elissa Veronica C. Benipayo-Comelio, NSC-CL Program Manager, followed by a pre-test to assess the participants’ baseline knowledge of the newborn screening process. To highlight the significance of the NBS program, Ms. Mariel Franceska M. Magat, Program Development Officer I, delivered a lecture introducing Expanded Newborn Screening.
This was followed by a laboratory tour led by Mr. Jerome R. Comelio, Laboratory Manager, together with Mr. Henry M. Basilio, Quality Assurance and Biosafety Officer. During the tour, participants were guided through the NSC-CL workflow, from sample receipt and analytical testing to the release of NBS results. Archived unsatisfactory samples submitted by the NSFs were also shown to help participants better understand common sample quality issues.
The orientation concluded with a session facilitated by Ms. Nikki D. Dela Cruz, Program Development Officer III, who discussed the common causes of unfit and unsatisfactory newborn screening samples, along with practical strategies to prevent and address these issues.
Through this activity, 30 NSFs with a total of 89 participants were oriented. Participants were reminded that the activity was not intended to replace official NBS training, but to help strengthen proper sample collection practices and reduce unfit sample rates in 2026. NSC-CL hopes to reach more facilities across the region through similar orientations to reinforce the importance of correct sample collection
in ensuring timely, accurate, and reliable newborn screening results.
