by Andrea Mikkaela R. Andres, RND
DOH-CHD CALABARZON Boosts Expanded Newborn Screening Through Series of Regional Training Programs
To strengthen the implementation of the Expanded Newborn Screening (ENBS) program, the Department of Health – Center for Health Development CALABARZON (DOH CHD 4A) conducted a series of training sessions across Batangas, Laguna, and Rizal in March and April 2025. These sessions aimed to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to improve early detection of congenital conditions in newborns.
The series commenced at the beginning of the year and proceeded on March 19 with a training session conducted at the Agoncillo Municipal Hall in Batangas. This session emphasized the importance of the Enhanced Newborn Screening (ENBS) program. The curriculum focused on the updating of healthcare professionals on screening protocols, enhancing coordination with reference centers, and implementing effective follow-up procedures to ensure comprehensive care for newborns.
Building on this momentum, another session was conducted on March 26 at the Cabuyao City Hospital, Laguna. This session provided physicians, nurses, midwives, and medical technologists with enhanced competencies in performing expanded screenings, reinforcing the importance of early identification and timely intervention in improving newborn health outcomes.
To further deepen practical skills, a hands-on “Training on Expanded Newborn Screening with Practicum on Heel Prick Method” was held on March 27–28 at the Hotel Marciano in Calamba, Laguna. This two-day program combined in-depth lectures and a practicum led by Dr. Kresnerfe Sta. Rosa-Abueg, Patrick Charles Reyes, and Mark Kevin Estolas of the Newborn Screening Center – Southern Luzon. The practicum, conducted at the Dr. J.P. Rizal Memorial District Hospital, gave participants a vital experience in performing heel-prick tests, a crucial procedure for obtaining blood samples used in newborn screening.
Continuing its outreach, the CHD team held another training on April 4 at the Assumption Specialty Hospital and Medical Center in Antipolo, Rizal. This session reinforced previous learning while empowering more healthcare professionals in the region with the tools to perform effective screenings in their respective facilities.
The trainings culminated with an additional ENBS and heel-prick practicum session on April 24–25 at the Hotel Marciano. Christine Perey, Cavite’s provincial NBS coordinator, expressed her full support for the initiative and its lasting impact. The practicum, conducted at the Dr. J.P. Rizal Memorial District Hospital, enabled the participants to perform the procedure under the supervision of the Regional Newborn Screening Coordinators – Jose Antonio Yap, Jhoanna Gatbonton, and Paul Vincent Santos.
These training programs underscore the DOH CHD CALABARZON’s commitment to advancing newborn health through education and capacity-building. By equipping frontline health workers with critical screening skills and knowledge, the region moves closer to ensuring healthier futures for every child in the region.
2nd Thalassemia Forum and Consultation: Raising Awareness and Improving Care
On March 18, 2025, the 2nd Thalassemia Forum and Consultation was held at the Dr. J.P. Rizal Memorial District Hospital Auditorium, Calamba, Laguna.
The forum, conducted in partnership with the Newborn Screening Continuity Clinic – Laguna, featured Dr. Maria Lenytha E. Leporgo, pediatric hematologist, as the keynote speaker. The discussion focused on thalassemia, an inherited blood disorder, and emphasized the importance of early diagnosis, treatment, and family support.
By educating both healthcare providers and families, the forum sought to improve the quality of life for individuals living with the condition.
Newborn Screening Included in “PuroKalusugan” Health Caravan in Sta. Cruz, Laguna
The Department of Health (DOH) CALABARZON – Family Health Cluster (FHC) officially launched the “PuroKalusugan” health program on March 25, 2025, in Barangay Calios, Sta. Cruz, Laguna, bringing essential health services directly to the community. Dr. Mark Nicholas O. Santos, RN, FHC head and medical officer, spearheaded the event, which was held in collaboration with the Sta. Cruz Local Government Unit, Sta. Cruz Municipal Health Office, and the Sangguniang Barangay of Calios.
Hundreds of residents from Calios and neighboring barangays—Bubukal, Bagumbayan, and Patimbao—benefited from a wide range of free health services. Newborn screening was among the services offered, reinforcing the region’s commitment to early detection and care for infants.
A total of four newborns received newborn screening, a public health service designed to detect potentially life-threatening congenital conditions before symptoms appear. The health caravan also featured the Immunization Program, serving 164 patients with routine vaccines, including PPSV23 and HPV.
The Oral Health Program treated 92 individuals with fluoride varnish and prophylaxis, while 79 participated in the Nutrition and Breastfeeding Program, receiving counseling and nutritional supplements. The Safe Motherhood Program supported 36 women with prenatal services,
including ultrasound and essential lab tests, and 17 women who underwent cervical cancer screening. Additionally, 19 individuals availed of family planning and counseling, and 20 youth participants took part in the Rapid HEEADSSS Assessments and health education.
To engage the community, the Health Education and Promotion Unit hosted interactive games and educational activities, making health promotion enjoyable for children and their families while spreading practical wellness tips.
These initiatives highlight the DOH-CHD IV-A’s commitment to improving newborn healthcare services in CALABARZON. The region aims to ensure that every newborn receives timely screening and medical intervention by aligning programs, enhancing training, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders. As the motto states, “A drop of blood saves lives!”
