In the spirit of Universal Health Care aimed at enhancing the accessibility of quality health services, the Department of Health – Cordillera, through its Local Health Support Division (LHSD), conducted the Parents Forum on Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Deficiency and Congenital Hypothyroidism (CH) in Bangued, Abra, on October 21, 2024.
LHSD Chief Dr. Virginia Narciso said that the forum, which will also be conducted in other provinces in the region farther from the Baguio-Benguet area, seeks to educate parents of children who are diagnosed with these conditions. Specifically, the initiative seeks to provide guidance on managing these conditions to avoid complications and help their kids live healthier lives.
Resource persons for the forum included pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Wilson Cua alongside Dr. Crislyn Samia, Follow-up Head of the Newborn Screening Center – Central Luzon (NSC-CL), who discussed CH and G6PD deficiency, respectively. Following their presentations, both doctors conducted free medical consultations for affected children. Additionally, Dominga Dawe, a nutritionist-dietician of Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC), provided valuable insights on healthy diets and lifestyles for people affected by CH and G6PD deficiency.
Both CH and G6PD deficiency are lifelong conditions that require management and avoidance of triggers. Delays in diagnosis and inadequate treatment may lead to complications; specifically, children with G6PD deficiency are at risk of developing acute hemolytic anemia, while those with CH may experience permanent intellectual disabilities. To mitigate these risks, early detection is imperative and is achievable through newborn screening. This test is administered shortly after the first 24 hours of a newborn’s life to identify potential congenital disorders.
In the Philippines, although significant progress has been made in the screening program, challenges remain in ensuring equitable access to screening and follow-up care. Specifically, CAR faces geographic barriers and limited resources, including a lack of medical specialists across many provinces in the region. The initiative aims to address the disparity between the available medical expertise and the needs of patients affected by CH and G6PD deficiency.
Dr. Maria Cristina Cabrera, the Provincial Health Officer of Abra, has reaffirmed the commitment of the provincial local government to support individuals in Abra afflicted by these conditions. The Abra Provincial Hospital (APH) is prepared to offer the necessary laboratory tests to facilitate this support.
By Dr. Virginia L. Narciso
