Law Summary
Legislative Framework for Child Rights and Early Childhood Care
- The Early Childhood Care and Development Act (ECCD) establishes the State policy to promote children's rights to survival, development, and special protection.
- ECCD emphasizes recognizing the special nature and needs of childhood.
- ECCD aims to create an efficient system for early identification, prevention, referral, and intervention for developmental disorders and disabilities in early childhood.
Importance and Benefits of Newborn Screening
- Newborn screening is a crucial public health tool for early detection of inheritable conditions.
- Untreated conditions detected through newborn screening can lead to severe outcomes such as mental retardation or death.
- Early diagnosis and treatment of these conditions allow for normal growth and development.
Current Status of Newborn Screening in the Philippines
- Despite its benefits, newborn screening is only administered to approximately 2% of Filipino newborns, indicating very limited coverage.
Need for National Awareness Campaign
- There is an urgent need for a comprehensive national information campaign to raise public awareness about newborn screening.
- The campaign aims to generate support from both public and private sectors.
Declaration of National Newborn Screening Week
- The President declared the first week of October each year as "National Newborn Screening Week".
- The Department of Health (DOH) and the Institute of Human Genetics of the National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines, are designated as the national focal points.
- These designated bodies are tasked with commemorating the event and ensuring the widespread dissemination of information on the availability and benefits of newborn screening.
Executive Authority and Formal Proclamation
- The proclamation is made by the President under powers vested by law.
- The decree was signed in Manila on January 20, 2004, formalizing the establishment of this health advocacy week.