AN ACT PROMULGATING A COMPREHENSIVE POLICY
AND A NATIONAL SYSTEM FOR ENSURING NEWBORN SCREENING
Republic Act No. 9288
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE LEGACY OR DONATION OF ALL OR PART OF A HUMAN BODY AFTER DEATH FOR SPECIFIED PURPOSES
Introduction In the Philippines, cases of genetic disorder have increased as the population rises. Some of these inheritable conditions are already present at birth and many others are not recognized until the child gets older. One factor is that after giving birth, some parents do not consider on having their babies be checked up for the presence of abnormalities. “Newborn screening (NBS) is a public health program aimed at the early identification of infants who are affected by certain genetic/metabolic/infectious conditions. Early identification and timely intervention can lead to significant reduction of morbidity, mortality, and associated disabilities in affected infants. NBS in the Philippines started in June 1996 and was integrated into the public health delivery system with the enactment of the Newborn Screening Act of 2004 (Republic Act 9288).” –DOH Philippines
Objectives: 1. To ensure that every newborn has the right to undergo newborn screening test. 2. To make sure that the newborn screening test will determine any genetic disorders. 3. To build a better newborn screening system for the whole population. 4. To ascertain that all health care providers knows the advantages of the newborn screening and their responsibilities regarding newborn screening. 5. To assure that parents are aware of their responsibility on the upbringing of their own child to good health and full development.
Republic of the Philippines Congress of the Philippines Metro Manila Twelfth Congress Third Regular Session
Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-eight day of July, two