by Ronald Aguilar, RN
Consistent and committed leadership is key to the success of any public health initiative, and Malaybalay City exemplifies this truth. Over the years, the city has demonstrated unwavering support for the Newborn Screening (NBS) Program through sustained policy initiatives, resource allocation, and grassroots implementation.
From its early adoption of R.A. 9288 to the integration of Expanded Newborn Screening (ENBS), the Local Government Unit (LGU), through the City Health Office (CHO), has steadily built a comprehensive NBS system that is both accessible and inclusive. The proactive and evolving efforts of Malaybalay City as a model LGU ensure that every child born within its jurisdiction has a healthier start in life.
Malaybalay City, the capital of Bukidnon province, is known as the “South Summer Capital of the Philippines” for its cool climate and as host of the annual Kaamulan Festival. Alongside its rich landscapes, heritage, and culture, Malaybalay is also a strong advocate for the NBS Program, having adopted R.A. 9288, also known as the Newborn Screening Act of 2004.
To jumpstart the program, the LGU passed a city ordinance in 2008 providing a 25% NBS fee subsidy for newborns in the city. In 2009, the ordinance was amended to increase the subsidy to 50%.
While Malaybalay is home to several PhilHealth-accredited hospitals and lying-ins, many mothers opt to deliver in barangay health stations (BHS) due to its proximity. Currently, the CHO–Malaybalay has 22 BHS accredited as newborn screening facilities (NSFs). The NBS fee subsidy, along with free delivery services, reflects the LGU’s commitment to encouraging facility-based deliveries.
When the ENBS was fully implemented in 2019—with thescreening fee increased from P550 to P1,750—the CHO-Malaybalay remained steadfast in its mission. The LGU updated its standing resolution to offer the ENBS at P275 for city residents and P550 for non-residents. As of this writing, the NSC Mindanao has processed 8,232 NBS samples from the CHO Malaybalay under the subsidy program starting in 2010.
Babies who tested positive and were confirmed to have metabolic disorders received continued care and support from the CHO Malaybalay. Indigent patients were provided with transportation for confirmatory tests and consultations outside the city. Medical assistance was extended for laboratory tests (e.g., FT4, TSH, electrolytes, CBC, thyroid ultrasound for CH patients), and free medical equipment—such as a wheelchair and weighing scale—was given to an MSUD patient. Medications such as levothyroxine, prednisone, and multivitamins were also procured annually to ensure treatment compliance.
To build a supportive community, the CHO Malaybalay partnered with the Bukidnon Provincial Medical Center–Newborn Screening Continuity Clinic (BPMC-NBSCC) to conduct the G6PD Deficiency fora and “Reunion of Saved Babies”. Families also benefited from consultations with experts from the Philippine Society of Pediatric Metabolism and Endocrinology (PSPME) and the Institute of Human Genetics (IHG) during multidisciplinary clinics.
Recognizing the need for continuous improvement, CHO Malaybalay NBS Coordinator Kharl Karen Libot, RN, closely coordinates with the Department of Health–Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Northern Mindanao and the Newborn Screening Center–Mindanao (NSC-M) for in-house training and refresher courses. These LGU-funded capacity-building activities are designed to upskill medical personnel, especially the NBS coordinators assigned to each BHS.
