In November and December 2023, the DOH CHD XII, XI, and IX met with their implementing NSFs to constructively assess the effectiveness of the program in their respective regions.
The NBS metrics, such as coverage, sample quality, NSF status, and short and long term patients’ status were among the topics discussed during the meeting. The NSF representatives presented their annual accomplishments, raised issues encountered in the program, and presented their strategic plans for the coming year.
For the SOCCSKSARGEN region, the DOH-CHD XII conducted its Program Implementation Review (PIR) on November 15, 2023 at the East Asia Hotel in General Santos City that gathered a total of 150 facilities from both private and government sectors. To show their full support to the program, Dr. Sulipicio Henry Legazpi, Jr., MPH, FPSMS, CESE; Dr. Edvir Jane Montañer, Head of the Family Health Cluster of DOH CHD XII; and Dr. Noel Vallesteros, Chief, Child Adolescent and Maternal Health Division, Disease Prevention and Control Bureau of the Department of Health, graced the activity.
Also in attendance were the program partners from the Provincial Health Offices, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, NBS Continuity Clinic from Cotabato Regional Medical Center, Center for Human Genetics Services, and Newborn Screening Center- Mindanao.
Meanwhile, in the DAVAO region, the DOH-CHD XI assembled 130 NSFs on November 29 and 30, 2023, at the Ritz Hotel at Garden Oases, in Davao City. The government NSFs reviewed the program on the first day, while the private NSFs convened on the second day. During the meeting, the NSFs with < 1% unsatisfactory rate for January to September 2023 were recognized.
In the Zamboanga region, however, the DOH-CHD IX and NSC Mindanao team hopped from one province to another to connect with the NSFs on December 4-7, 2023. The series of meetings commenced in Zamboanga City, followed by Zamboanga Sibugay NSFs in Ipil, and in Pagadian on the third day for the NSFs in Zamboanga Del Sur. The final stop was in Dipolog City with the Zamboanga Del Norte facilities. A total of 131 facilities appeared in the series of meetings held in the Zamboanga region.
The PIR meeting is an annual activity of the respective DOH CHD Regional Offices to provide the NSFs a venue to share best practices, freely raise concerns, discuss roadblocks, and collectively come up with solutions. PBermudez
