CAPIZ – The provincial government-funded Newborn Screening Continuity Clinic is now open at the Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital (RMPH) – Lanot in Roxas City.
Gov. Fredenil H. Castro and Dr. Florencio Luching, chief of RMPH, led the opening ceremony on Friday, June 7.
Castro, in his message, highlighted the importance of newborn screening, adding that the new clinic would be a big help to the Capiznons “to produce a healthier and stronger children of the future.”
According to the Department of Health (DOH), newborn screening is an essential health procedure done on newborn babies that enables the early detection and management of several congenital disorders — which, if left untreated, may lead to mental retardation or death.
“Early diagnosis and initiation of treatment, along with appropriate long-term care, help ensure normal growth and development of the affected individual,” the DOH said.
Newborn screening services have been available in the Philippines since 1996.
Also present during the opening were personnel of the Rural Health Unit and health workers from different district and private hospitals in the province./PN
