by Thricia Bless Ventura, Vanessa Mabalo, & Mary Glenid Palisoc
With the goal of providing quality care services to all regional patients, the Newborn Screening Continuity Clinics of Region 1—ITRMC, MMMH & MC, and R1MC—conducted ENBS Caravans for their patients at their respective clinics.
Supported and funded by the Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Ilocos Region, the three continuity clinics prepared and recalled patients and their parents to attend these annual provincial activities.
The Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMH & MC) NBSCC team, monitoring confirmed patients in Ilocos Norte and the first district of Ilocos Sur, conducted its first ENBS Caravan on February 23, 2024, at Treasure Trove Resort, Batac City, Ilocos Norte.
The following month, on March 19-20, 2024, the Ilocos Training Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) NBSCC team led an ENBS Caravan at the Candon Civic Center, Candon City, Ilocos Sur. Region 1 Medical Center held its ENBS Caravan for Pangasinan at River Palm Resort, Bugallon, Pangasinan, on June 5-6, 2024.
The final leg of the ENBS Caravan, for La Union, took place on July 24-25, 2024. Despite Typhoon Carina affecting the province, the program proceeded as planned.
The ENBS Caravan offered various patient-centered activities, including health education on conditions like Congenital Hypothyroidism, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, and Alpha Thalassemia. It also provided free consultations from pediatric specialists (Endocrinology, Hematology, Neurology, Nephrology, Developmental Pediatrics), as well as other healthcare services such as Nutrition, Dental Services, and Mental Health Services. Additionally, medical social services from the health facilities and DOH-CHD 1 covered laboratory fees and transportation. After consultations and services, patients received free medications, and their transportation to and from the venue was coordinated with local government units. Furthermore, continuity clinics facilitated stress management, livelihood programs, and wellness activities.
This year-long series of activities was made possible by the support of host facilities and DOH-CHD Ilocos Region. Nicole S. Bugarin, RN, MPH, Program Development Officer IV of the Newborn Screening Program at DOH-CHD Ilocos Region, emphasized the program’s vital role in bringing pediatric specialists to address the needs of patients diagnosed with screened disorders. Additionally, the program facilitated free confirmatory tests for screened G6PD patients, addressing low recall rates and financial constraints. The increasing number of confirmed positive cases prompted program managers and implementers to organize provincial activities.
Ms. Bugarin highlighted the effective teamwork among the three NBSCC teams, with all nurses and follow-up heads contributing to the program’s success. The program’s success also relied on the coordination of the NBSCC Region 1 Team, host facilities, and partners such as the Newborn Screening Center-Northern Luzon (NSC-NL), pharmaceutical companies, the Department of Agriculture, PAMET Ilocos Sur, and the Clemens-Thiele Family from Berlin, Germany.
The NBSCCs of Region 1 aim to ensure that no province is left behind in long-term management efforts. They plan to continue this collaborative approach to support the ongoing needs of newborn screening patients. #
