by Perly Bermudez
The Davao Del Norte’s and Davao Oriental’s newborn screening (NBS) trainers conducted their first roll-out ENBS trainings two (2) months after successfully completing their training of trainers (TOT) in September 2025. These were the first two (2) provinces who committed and swiftly responded to the Call for Action immediately after their TOT.
The TOT, aimed at building the technical capability of the trainers, has empowered and produced a competent and confident team of trainers. They were trained first-hand by the NBS program experts from the Newborn Screening Reference Center (NSRC) and DOH–Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) XI. Each provincial team of trainers is composed of provincial coordinators and representatives from DOH-retained and/or government hospitals. They will serve as extension or “extra hands” of the DOH CHD XI in catering to the immediate needs of NSFs for technical assistance in their respective areas.
The ENBS training was conducted in two legs: the first at the Molave Hotel in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, on November 10–11, 2025, with thirty (30) participants, and the second at the Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center (DOPMC) in Mati City on December 2–4, 2025, with twenty-four (24) participants trained by Dr. Noraisha D. Ismael, Ms. Ofelia Mendiola, and Ms. Mercy Agujetas. Both trainings followed the regional office’s standard design, with Day 1 dedicated to lectures on the newborn screening panel, facility implementation steps, and RA 9288, and Day 2 focused on the heel-prick practicum with structured feedback after each session.
Following the successful rollout of the NBS trainings in Davao del Norte and Davao Oriental, preparations are underway for training sessions in Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, and Davao de Oro, tentatively scheduled for February and March 2026. The provincial-level ENBS training aims to expand participant reach, reduce travel-related costs, and strengthen program sustainability by developing trained local personnel who can ensure continuity despite staff turnover.
With the implementation of the ENBS training at the provincial level, the DOH CHD XI has assured provincial of sustained financial and technical support, with the regional office remaining committed to championing training initiatives across the region.
