The Newborn Screening Reference Center (NSRC) and Institute of Human Genetics (IHG) jointly hosted an online hemoglobinopathies training session on April 30, 2024. More than a hundred technical staff from the Newborn Screening Centers (NSCs), Centers for Human Genetics Services (CHGSs), and Newborn Screening Continuity Clinics (NBSCCs) participated in the workshop that enhanced their knowledge and abilities necessary to perform patient and family counselling and to read and interpret confirmatory test results.
Dr. Michelle Abadingo, NSRC director, welcomed the attendees and outlined the workshop objectives. The QA Officer for the NSRC, Margarita Aziza Canlas, gave updates on hemoglobinopathy algorithms. Her talk was aimed at providing an understanding of and applying current hemoglobinopathy algorithms, as well as reviewing changes throughout the years.
Dr. Joliza Cañeba, head of the Hemoglobinopathies Reference Unit at the Institute of Human Genetics, gave an overview of thalassemia and its various hemoglobin variants, starting with those that have been identified in the country thus far. She talked on their genetic links and overall pathophysiology and demonstrated the graphical representation of the inheritance patterns and the formation of each global chain in specific mutations.
The NSC representatives were joined by Dr. Ma-am Joy Tumulak, clinical assistant professor at the UP College of Medicine and research assistant professor at the National Institutes of Health, in presenting difficult cases. She and Dr. Cañeba provided clarification on the cases.
Counselling and developmental psychologist Dr. Angie Sievert-Fernandez summarized the material she gave at the 2023 Annual NBS Convention on effective communication. She also provided extra communication tips and strategies for handling challenging circumstances and challenging parents.
Following the lectures, simulation exercises were held where trainees handled various scenarios and responded to queries from parents. IHG Director Dr. Maria Melanie Liberty Alcausin gave the concluding remarks to wrap up the event.
Mendoza, VG
