by Vina G. Mendoza
When a baby is born, the first cries often fill a room with joy. Yet, beneath that joy may lie a silent threat, an illness invisible at birth, but powerful enough to alter a child’s future.
For nearly three decades, the Philippine Newborn Screening (NBS) Program has safeguarded Filipino families from that unseen danger. Through a tiny heel prick and a few drops of blood, newborn screening detects serious but treatable disorders. When treated or managed early, these conditions can mean the difference between a life of health, and one marked by lifelong illness.
What began in 1996 as a small pilot project that screened 11,992 babies – or 0.7% of all live births, has grown into a nationwide network that reached 1.33 million newborns in 2024. This coverage represents 91.8% of all live births, including over 36,000 newborns from unserved and underserved areas. Every region in the country now actively participates, and over 20 million Filipino babies have been screened since the program began. From detecting only five disorders at first, the program now screens for over 29 life-threatening but treatable or manageable conditions.
The impact is profound. Thousands of children who once faced a lifetime of illness are now thriving—going to school, playing with friends, and living full lives.
STORIES OF STRENGTH AND FULFILLMENT OF DREAMS
At the 23rd National Newborn Screening Convention held on October 16–17, 2025 at The Manila Hotel, life-changing stories took center stage.
In one heartwarming session, mothers stood before hundreds of doctors, scientists, and health workers to share how a simple test forever changed their children’s lives – how early diagnosis turned confusion into clarity, and fear into hope.
“Utang na loob po namin sa inyo ang buhay ng mga anak namin,” said Jhudie, her voice breaking with gratitude.
For Norie, whose child continues to make steady progress, every milestone is a testament to the unwavering care and dedication of the healthcare team that never gave up on them. Cecille, a solo parent of a child with classical galactosemia, recounted the difficulty of accepting the diagnosis but through discipline and family unity, she found strength. “Mas naging united kami,” she said.
Michelle admitted she once struggled with denial, but through the support of fellow parents, she found light and hope for her child’s future. “Lumalaki po nang malusog at nakakasabay sa ibang bata,” she said proudly, believing that with guidance and love, her child will one day build a full and independent life.
Their words carried lessons for other parents: to be patient, to understand deeply, to never be ashamed, and to embrace their children wholeheartedly. The session was more than a sharing, it was a celebration of fortitude, of mothers who go the extra mile every day, and of the lifesaving power of newborn screening.
The convention also unveiled the “100 Dreams,” an ongoing project that will feature over a hundred patients who, despite their conditions, are thriving and living full lives. Among them is Janelle Barameda, a 28-yearold civil engineer diagnosed with congenital hypothyroidism (CH) as a newborn.
“Kung hindi ako na-screen noong bata pa ako, baka hindi ako nakapag-aral, hindi ako naging engineer ngayon,” she said. With her mother’s care and her doctors’ guidance, Janelle grew up healthy and determ ined. Today, she is planning her wedding and dreaming of a home of her own. “Now I’m building homes—and building my own future,” she said with a smile.
Together, these stories reflect the true heart of newborn screening—not found in laboratories or policies, but in Filipino homes where second chances grow into dreams fulfilled.
Three Decades of Hope
As the program approaches its 30th year, the convention marked the start of a year-long celebration – three decades of saving lives – from screening to improving outcomes.
The new 30th anniversary logo unveiled during the convention stands as a vibrant symbol of the official logo for the 30th year of the how far the Philippine Newborn Screening Program (1996–2026) has come. A highlight of the yearlong celebration will be a commemorative coffee table book capturing photographs, personal reflections, and milestones that tell the story of how a modest initiative grew into a nationwide movement.
A companion book will showcase the real heroes of newborn screening—the families, health workers, and children whose lives embody the program’s success. These stories will reveal the deeply human side of early detection: behind every test result lies a family’s relief, a doctor’s dedication, and a child’s renewed future.
The celebration will also feature pioneers, partners, and advocates through a series of events—including a patient ambassador’s walk, awarding ceremonies, and an exhibit—honoring the countless hopes made possible by newborn screening and the people who turned science into compassion and hope into action.
A PROMISE THAT CONTINUES
In his keynote address, PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Edwin M. Mercado traced how the NBS became part of the nation ’s promise to every Filipino child. In 2006, PhilHealth integrated newborn screening into its Newborn Care Package, ensuring that essential services—such as Vitamin K administration, vaccinations, and the NBS test—were accessible to families across all income levels.
From an initial P1,000 benefit in 2006, the package has expanded to P5,752.50 in 2024, ref lecting both the rising costs of healthcare and the government’s commitment to equitable access.
“We will continue to provide not just coverage, ” Mercado said, “but a partnership grounded in science, sustained by compassion, and guided by the vision of Universal Health Care for all.”
As the NBS Program looks ahead, its leaders remain grounded in a simple truth: every newborn deserves a fair start.
For National Scientist Dr. Carmencita D. Padilla, who has led the program since its inception, each screened child represents more than a medical success; it is a story of partnership, persistence, and hope.
“Every screened baby represents a future saved,” she reminds her team.
As the Philippines celebrates 30 years of newborn screening, it honors more than a health program – it celebrates a national promise. A promise whispered in every delivery room and fulfilled in every joyful laugh of a child who might not have been here otherwise.
The next chapter of newborn screening is already being written—by families, health workers, and by every newborn who begins life with the best gift our nation can offer: a healthy start and a healthier Philippines, one baby at a time.
