by Thricia Bless Ventura & Mary Glenid Palisoc
With the goal of bringing comprehensive quality services closer to its patients, the Newborn Screening Continuity Clinic (NBSCC) of the Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC) conducted the Reunion of Saved Babies (ROSB) on July 17, 2025, at the Levo Hotel, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan.
The activity catered to patients from the eastern part of Pangasinan and was supported by the Department of Health–Ilocos Center for Health Development (DOH-Ilocos CHD) and the R1MC Department of Pediatrics. A total of 220 participants attended, including families, facilitators from other continuity clinics, and DOH-retained hospitals of Region 1.
Nicole Marie Bugarin, Newborn Screening program manager of DOH-Ilocos CHD, officially welcomed the attendees, expressing appreciation to the families who traveled from various municipalities. She assured them that initiatives like the ROSB would continue across all provinces of Region 1 to ensure that every NBSCC patient benefits from the program.
The ROSB featured a series of health lectures led by pediatric subspecialists to raise family awareness on child care. Dr. Joanne Rodriguez, dentist from ITRMC, discussed proper toothbrushing; Dr. Mark Andrew Perez, pediatric nephrologist of R1MC, highlighted kidney health; and Dr. Erik Estrada, neurodevelopmental pediatrician of R1MC, spoke on the red flags of developmental delays.
After the discussions, children and parents enjoyed games and activities facilitated by Dr. Alma Estrada, R1MC NBSCC follow-up head, and Follow-up Nurse Glenid Palisoc. These were followed by simultaneous consultations: Dr. Estrada, pediatric endocrinologist, saw 26 patients; pediatric hematologists Dr. Ruth Anne Montano-Tugawin (R1MC), Dr. Lydia Ramirez, and Dr. Katrina Rose Ortega (ITRMC) managed 24 thalassemia patients; and Dr. Estrada (DevPed) assessed three patients. Meanwhile, 35 patients received quality services from the ITRMC’s Dental Department.
The event concluded with the distribution of gifts, free medicines, and food packs from various sponsors. Dr. Estrada assured families that this would not be the last ROSB, emphasizing that more activities would follow to support patients with confirmed disorders. She recognized the dedication of parents in caring for their children and thanked the LGUs and RHU staff for the transport assistance.
The R1MC NBSCC plans to continue the year-long program, with the second batch of the Reunion of Saved Babies scheduled for the western district in December 2025. TBVentura, MGPalisoc
