“You are silent heroes dahil yung mga pinalalaki ninyo nabibigyan natin ng normal na buhay.”
This was how Department of Health-Metro Manila Center for Health Development (DOH-MMCHD) Asst. Regional Director Dr. Karen Fernandez described the attending parents in the Expanded Newborn Screening Saved Babies: Family Day Celebration to honor their resilience and determination in raising their children to lead normal and healthy lives.
The heartfelt message was delivered during the event held on September 26, 2024 in conjunction with the National Family Week at the Casa Ibarra, Pasay City.
“Kayong mga magulang na nandito, mga magulang ng na-save na mga bata na ito, saludo po ako sa inyo. Saludo ako dahil ang tatag ng kalooban n’yo. Hindi natin alam in the future, isa sa kanila, congressman, doktor, abogado, at lahat ng mga pangarap na binubuo nila ay hindi matutupad at maisasakatuparan kung hindi dahil sa inyong mga magulang,” she declared as she highlighted the roles of the family in her opening remarks.
Selected children from Metro Manila who were saved through the expanded newborn screening program attended the event with their families. The special celebration aimed to check on the health status of the children, ensure their continued access to necessary care, and promote the importance of newborn screening and other family health-related programs. The event also served as a platform to encourage the active participation and support of key health partners, parents, and other stakeholders in advocating for newborn screening across the region.
The celebration also highlighted the crucial role of partnerships in promoting family health. Partners of this event included the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Newborn Screening Reference Center, Newborn Screening Center-National Institutes of Health, Newborn Screening Continuity Clinics, Center for Human Genetics Services, Pasay City Health Office, Save the Children Philippines, DKT Philippines, and the 17 local government units of Metro Manila. Their combined efforts have contributed to the success of the NBS Program which continues to save lives by identifying life-threatening metabolic disorders at the earliest possible stage.
The ENBS Saved Babies Family Day Celebration was more than just a health initiative. It was a meaningful recognition of families who have embraced the program and a testament to the essential collaborations that ensure its success. It reinforced the importance of early detection in securing a child’s future, and advocating for a stronger and healthier future for all Filipino families. Through collective action, it is expected that more children will gain access to health services that will help pave the way for a brighter future.
DOH-CHD Metro Manila
