Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9709)
The short title of Republic Act No. 9709 is the "Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Intervention Act of 2009."
The State's policy is to protect and promote the right to health of the people, including children’s rights to survival, full and healthy development, and a better quality of life, specifically through early detection and intervention for congenital hearing loss among newborns and infants.
It establishes the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program (UNHSP) to prevent and diagnose congenital hearing loss, provide follow-up and early intervention services, and support families of newborns with hearing loss.
Healthcare practitioners include physicians, nurses, midwives, nursing aides, and traditional birth attendants.
Healthcare practitioners delivering or assisting in delivery must inform parents/legal guardians about the availability, nature, and benefits of hearing loss screening before delivery and ensure screening is performed unless refused.
Yes, they may refuse on religious or cultural grounds but must acknowledge in writing they understand the risks and responsibilities.
The newborn must undergo audiologic diagnostic evaluation in a timely manner and receive follow-up, recall, referral, and early intervention services before six months of age.
The NIH Newborn Hearing Screening Reference Center maintains the national database and registry.
The DOH is the lead agency for implementation, coordinating with other agencies and stakeholders, setting standards, monitoring compliance, and developing educational programs.
Newborns born outside hospitals should be screened within three months after birth, with healthcare practitioners responsible for referring them to local health centers for screening and evaluation.
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) includes hearing loss screening costs in its benefit package, but no screening fee shall be charged for certain accredited indigenous tests recognized by the DOH.
The DOH shall develop incentives to encourage the establishment of such centers beyond existing Newborn Screening Centers.
The DOH must conduct continuing education, re-education, and training programs about hearing loss screening and disseminate related informational materials annually.
Hospitals and screening centers must submit screening results to NIH for data consolidation, which also conducts applied research and issues annual reports to the DOH.
Necessary funds are included in the annual General Appropriations Act.