The Newborn Screening Center – Northern Luzon (NSC-NL) and the Department of Health – Center for Health Development (DOH CHD) Ilocos co-hosted the 8th Northern Luzon Consultative Meeting in Alaminos City, Pangasinan, on August 22-23, 2024. The annual meeting aimed to provide updates, address challenges, and ensure compliance with newborn screening standards for primary implementers. For this year, it sought to strengthen collaborations and identify improvements through a policy-making workshop.
Attendees included provincial health officers, newborn screening coordinators, program development officers, continuity clinic follow-up nurses, and G6PD confirmatory center representatives from Regions I and II. Dr. Ma. Lourdes K. Otayza, Medical Center Chief of Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMHMMC) which hosts the NSC-NL, graced the event . Notably, DOH retained hospitals from the two regions participated for the first time.
The first day began with opening remarks by Dr. Rheuel C. Bobis, Head of the Disease Prevention and Control Section of DOH Ilocos CHD. NSCNL’s Anthony James Almazan presented the meeting’s rationale. Leslie Ann B. Malihan of NSCNL shared a review of last year’s consultative minutes of the meeting, and Jovy Ann Lising from the Newborn Screening Reference Center (NSRC), National Institutes of Health UP Manila presented the national program updates and future directions. Reports were then presented by NSC-NL, DOH CHDs, NBS Continuity Clinics, and G6PD confirmatory centers. Topics included success indicators, milestones, follow-up quality indicators, prevalence of disorders, and challenges. (insert name of agency) John Kristoffer B. Sacro reviewed the Regional Communication Plan, while Mr. Almazan discussed the Regional Contingency Plan and NBS Policy Workshop. Region 2 Regional NBS Coordinator Novelyn Lacuanan delivered the synthesis of Day 1.
On the second day, Vina G. Mendoza from NSRC led a discussion on existing NBS policies and facilitated the group activity on identifying issues and stakeholders. Karen Lois Dela Cruz and Anna Kharen Guillermo from PHO Pangasinan and Isabela, respectively shared their experiences in crafting ordinances in their respective provinces for an improved program implementation. Dr. Jessa Mae R. De Guzman, medical specialist from the Public Health Unit of the MMMHMMC, brought her expertise in policy development to the team and discussed drafting a blueprint for a provincial ordinance.
Participants then drafted ordinances based on assigned issues and concerns i.e. training and advocacy. Drafts were presented,evaluated by panelists and awarded. Dr. Ma. Lourdes K. Otayza delivered an inspirational message and emphasized the importance of compassion to push through significant initiatives and causes for the program.
LABMalihan
