by Marry Jean Tomo
In 2025, Cagayan Valley marked a major milestone in strengthening the implementation of the Expanded Newborn Screening (ENBS) Program, reinforcing its commitment to improving neonatal health outcomes through early detection and timely intervention. A total of 279 healthcare professionals were successfully capacitated, comprising 7 physicians, 52 registered medical technologists, 92 registered midwives, and 128 registered nurses, following formal requests from 20 Newborn Screening Facilities (NSFs) across the region.
The capacity-building activities emphasized technical excellence throughout the newborn screening continuum. Clinical discussions highlighted the critical importance of the “Golden Hour” Protocol, underscoring specimen collection strictly after 24 hours of life to ensure the early detection of time-sensitive conditions such as Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD), where prompt intervention can be life-saving.
Hands-on demonstration and return demonstration sessions reinforced proper dried blood spot (DBS) collection, accurate card documentation, contamination prevention, and attainment of adequate blood spot volume. A focused quality assurance (QA) review enabled participants to differentiate “Satisfactory” and “Unfit” specimens through case studies involving incomplete data cards and improper techniques—aimed at minimizing laboratory rejections and repeat sampling.
Participants also demonstrated mastery of the heel-prick method and optimal DBS card saturation in line with stringent laboratory standards. To address the region’s geographic challenges, particularly in remote areas such as Batanes and coastal Isabela, logistical strategies were refined to expedite specimen transport to the Newborn Screening Center–Northern Luzon (NSC-NL).
Parental counseling skills were further strengthened and institutionalized to reduce refusal rates and expand community-level screening coverage. In addition, discussions clarified the proper utilization of the NBS fund for ENBS kit procurement and streamlined reimbursement workflows to support operational sustainability.
