NSC VISAYAS Holds Online Consultative Meeting for G6pd Confirmatory Testing
Meryll Mae T. Padillo, RN
Western Visayas has two (2) G6PD Confirmatory Testing Laboratories. One is located at Dr. Pablo O. Torre Sr. Memorial Hospital, catering to Negros Occidental, and another is at West Visayas State University Medical Center (WVSUMC), catering to the four provinces of Panay Island (Iloilo, Capiz, Antique and Aklan) and the island province of Guimaras.
Due to the COVID-19 response of WVSUMC, the OPD Complex that houses the G6PD Confirmatory Testing Lab was converted into a dedicated COVID ward halting the acceptance of walk-in patients for G6PD Confirmatory testing.
On July 23, 2021, in partnership with the Department of Health CHD Western Visayas, an online consultative meeting with various private and government health facilities from the City and Province of Iloilo was conducted.
Representatives were oriented on the need for their G6PD positive-screened patients to undergo the confirmatory testing, as well as their participation in the facilitation of testing. The NSC Visayas Program Manager, Yugie Caroline M. Demegillo, RN, MAP presented the various options to facilitate testing; likewise, urging for active recall of these patients. The NSC Visayas Follow-up Team headed by Dr. Roxanne R. Tuvalles conducted a survey in Iloilo, and it was found that most of the parents were willing to do confirmatory testing upon knowledge of the NBS result.
Thus, it is imperative that newborn screening facilities immediately relay the positive screening result to parents as this will translate to their prompt action, and increase the numbers of those undergoing confirmatory testing for G6PD Deficiency.
If the baby is positive from the testing, parents are advised to make sure that their attending physician knows that their child has G6PD deficiency. If it is negative, then parents or guardians do not have to worry about the contraindicated medicines and food items.