Written by Robin Charles Ramos
Originally Published in VSH's Lifeline Weekly Vo. 1 No. 15
Sixty-five parents and their children participated in the 1st G6PD Forum spearheaded by VSH on August 29, 2013 at the VSH Conference Room. Out of the 80 VSH G6PD deficiency cases confirmed through newborn screening, 30 were being represented by either a parent or a close relative. The rest of the 65 participants came from other health facilities within Valencia City.
Originally Published in VSH's Lifeline Weekly Vo. 1 No. 15
Sixty-five parents and their children participated in the 1st G6PD Forum spearheaded by VSH on August 29, 2013 at the VSH Conference Room. Out of the 80 VSH G6PD deficiency cases confirmed through newborn screening, 30 were being represented by either a parent or a close relative. The rest of the 65 participants came from other health facilities within Valencia City.
“We felt a great need to promote newborn
screening and at the same time answer the many questions lingering in the minds
of parents with G6PD deficient children. And we felt that organizing this forum
will be a big help", Mrs. Lylibeth Halasan, the VSH Chief
Medtech and one of the main organizers of the program explained". As such, we invited Dr.
Conchita G. Abarquez, a pediatrician and the only geneticist in Mindanao to be
our guest speaker", she added. Dr. Abarquez currently heads the Newborn
Screening Center – Mindanao based in Davao City.
“I am very happy I attended", testified
Mrs. Clita Q. Quitoy, whose granddaughter has G6PD. "I’m thankful for the organizers. They
really urged me to come. I really learned a lot especially what I can and
cannot feed my apo", she
told the crowd.
“Good enough for me, I attended. Dr.
Abarquez has really done a good job explaining the details", Mrs. Marieta Dojello, one of the
participants, quipped.
G6PD deficiency is one of the six
metabolic disorders that can be detected through the newborn screening. It is
an inherited disorder characterized by hemolytic anemia due to a deficiency of
the enzyme glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase, which is a result of a defective
gene located in the X chromosome. Fortunately, G6PD deficiency will not be
fatal especially if families and victims avoid the foods and chemicals that could trigger
hemolytic reaction.
Hon. Glen Galario, Valencia City
councilor, gave the welcome remarks in behalf of his mayor-father, Hon. Jose
Galario, Jr. He urged the participants to let their newborns undergo screening
as this would detect disorders early and more could still be done to arrest
later complications. He promised to try his best to raise the city annual
subsidy for newborn screening which as of now amounts PHP200,000.00.
After the closing remarks of the City
Health Officer, Dr. Marlyn Agabayani, the participants created a G6PD Parent
Support group whose first objective is to lay down the program and activities
in relation to the Newborn Screening Week on October 2013, the Reunion of Saved
Babies – Valencia
City, and the 2nd G6PD Forum.
The success of the program was made
possible through the support of the City Health Office – Valencia, the Newborn Screening Center – Mindanao,
and the Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health – Philippines (Mindanao Cluster).
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Robin Charles Ramos is a Master in Business Adminitsration graduate of the Cor Jesu College in Digos City, Davao del Sur. He is also currently employed as a Human Resources Department staff at the Valencia Sanitarium and Hospital in Bukidnon. He is also an alumnus of South Philippine Adventist College where he completed his degree in Business Administration. Robin became affiliated to the network during the 2010 Mindanao Island-wide Youth Camp.
