A Day for Saved Babies

Ryan John Pascual (NCR-South Luzon), Ramzy Nuique (Visayas), Robin Charles Ramos (Mindanao)

"Saved babies" or the children with a genetic condition detected through newborn screening and consequently saved from death and mental retardation upon receiving the right and continuous treatment, were gathered in Quezon City, Dumaguete City and Davao City for the annual Reunion of Saved Babies. The event was organized by the respective Cluster Newborn Screening Centers (National Institutes of Health (NIH), Visayas, and Mindanao) in order to have a thanksgiving celebration with program partners, stakeholders, and beneficiaries for another year of continuous promotion of the government's newborn screening program.

The Philippine Newborn Screening Program supports the United Nations' Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4 - reduction of child mortality.

Reunion of Saved Babies Visayas

Reunion of Saved Babies NCR-South Luzon

Reunion of Saved Babies Mindanao

 27 October 2012, Visayas

DUMAGUETE CITY- In cooperation with Dumaguete City Health Office, Newborn Screening Center-Visayas in partnership with DOH-CHD VII organized and conducted the 1st Reunion of Saved Babies for the Provinces of Negros Oriental and Siquijor on October 27, 2012, at the City Health Office’s Conference Room.

NSC Visayas and DOH-CHD VII with the help of Dumaguete CHO and VYLH

This is the 5th in the whole Visayas Region since 2008. It was attended by 10 saved babies, 9 with Congenital Hypothyroidism (CH) and 1 with Phenylketonuria (PKU), from both Negros Oriental and Siquijor out of the 14 confirmed babies. Dr. Socrates Villamor from DOH-CHD VII, Dr. Felix Sy from the Provincial Health Office, representatives from different RHUs, Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital and Silliman Medical Center Foundation, Inc., and the VYLH of Negros Oriental and Siquijor were also present to grace the occasion.

Substantial and fulfilling talks and activities were also rendered by some known personalities in their respective fields, namely: Mrs. Aurora Flores (Chapter Executive Officer-Philippine Mental Health Dumaguete Chapter) for Responsible Parenthood, Ms. Myra Leonora Salvaleon (DOH-CHD VII NBS Nurse Coordinator) for Importance of Compliance and Management, and Ms. Yugie Caroline Demegillo (NSVC Long-term Followup Nurse) for Parent Support Group Creation. The attendees were entertained with a series of games, intermissions, and ice breakers by the VYLH and a Jollibee mascot.

Gaiety and joy flashed across the faces of both the parents and the saved babies. Indeed, because of just a drop of blood, THEY ARE SAVED!

28 October 2012, NCR-South Luzon

QUEZON CITY -  Forty (40) saved babies and their parents were gathered last Oct. 28 (Sunday) at the Superferry Pavillon of the La Mesa Eco Park for a program filled with fun and prizes. To make it more meaningful, the organizers have set the event under the theme: "Saved Babies Help Save Mother Earth". Volunteers from VYLH-Philippines NCR-South Luzon participated in the activity as the event's emcees. The group also presented a Filipino children's story  entitled "Si Emang Engkantada at ang tatlong batang makulit" through participative storytelling. In this manner, the  kids were also part of the story's delivery, at the same time learn about environmental conservation.The event also featured a tree planting activity and a raffle. The Eco Park management was kind enough to provide a lecture and facilitate the tree planting activity. The kids were also given certificates as protectors of mother Earth.

The NCR-South Luzon Reunion was organized by NSC-National Institutes of Health in partnership with the Newborn Screening Society of the Philippines, Perkin-Elmer, Air 21, Center for Health Development  NCR, Region 4a, , 4b, and 5, Lifeline, Enzed Trade, wwwExpress, FedEx, and Landbank. The last reunion of saved babies for the cluster was held in 2010 at the UP Bahay ng Alumni.

5 November, 2012 Mindanao

DAVAO CITY - Around 84 children were reunited this year at Abreeza Mall, Davao City on November 5, 2012. Of the confirmed cases, there were 46 children with Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase deficiency, 30 with Congenital Hypothyroidism, 4 with Phenylketonuria, 3 with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia and a child with Galactosemia.


This year, it is the second time for the Newborn Screening Center-Mindanao under the leadership of Dr. Conchita Abarquez to conduct the Reunion of Saved Babies.  It was supported by the VYLH-Philippines – Mindanao Cluster volunteers, specifically in Region 11 and the Philippine Pediatrics Society (PPS) – Southern Mindanao Chapter. The event was a day of fun, laughter, games, thanksgiving and NBS family bonding for the continuous support and promotion of the newborn screening program. Another highlight of the event that made it more memorable was the opportunity for some parents to share their experiences and their family's journey in raising their children in a normal way.

 

Be an advocate of the Newborn Screening Program. Make it your choice. It's never too late to support such cause. By NBS, a drop of blood can save lives.

___________________
Special citation for the following VYLH-Philippines volunteers who were able to join this event: NCR-South Luzon: Bea Alfonso, Revie Tindugan, Chelsea Cruz, John Bryan Constantino, Ryan John Pascual; Visayas: Floyd Edrea, Blanche Ferrolino, Fob Ian Sy, Jordan Ramirez, Ramonito Nuique, Lynde Calumpang, Rynetchel Ogoc, Gran Rego Atay, Salima Jamal, Leah Amahit, Joana Kris Bato, Lera Almendral, Jezro Mari Rondario, Argie Victor Gadiana; Mindanao: Louigie Jeb Saludar, Robin Charles Ramos, Faudzy Daud, Ram Christian Cossid, Elinor Cabañero, Ma. Katrina Dee Gurro

Photo credits: Luzon - John Bryan Constantino; Visayas - Floyd Edrea, Anna Leah Millares (NSCV), Yugie Caroline Demegillo (NSCV); Mindanao - Aple Dowannie Tadlas (NSCM), Perly Bermudez (NSCM)