====== Newborn Screening Reference Center ======
Article 4 Section 13 of RA 9288 states that the NIH shall establish a Newborn Screening Reference Center, which shall be responsible for the national testing database and case registries, training, technical assistance and continuing education for laboratory staff in all Newborn Screening Centers. Furthermore, Section 14 of the same article also stipulates that the Newborn Screening Reference Center (NSRC) shall be responsible for the Quality Assurance of the National Comprehensive Newborn Screening System of the Country.\\
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The establishment or the creation of NSRC is in response to the call of the Department of Health and different sectors of society to recognize its crucial role in the nationwide implementation of newborn screening in the country and as mandated by RA 9288.\\
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**Functions**\\
As stipulated in the Newborn Screening Act of 2004, the NSRC shall be guided by the following functions:\\
1) be responsible for the national testing database and case registries, training, technical assistance and continuing education for laboratory staff in all Newborn Screening Centers;\\
2) define the testing and follow-up protocols for Newborn Screening Centers (NSCs) to be established in strategic locations in the country;\\
3) maintain an external laboratory proficiency-testing program;\\
4) oversee the national testing database and case registries;\\
5) report to the Bureau of Health Facilities and Services (BHFS) the NSCs found violating these rules and regulations and those performing and providing NBS procedures and services without any DOH accreditation; and\\
6) participate in consultation and evaluation activities initiated by BHFS in relation to the NSRC and the NSCs performance and in improving the implementation of these rules and regulations. \\
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**Date of Approval**\\
RA 9288 - July 28, 2003\\
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BOR Approval - October 14, 2004\\
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=== Services or Programs Offered ===
**Functions:**
  - Policy Development
  - Research Management
  - Program Review
  - Quality Assurance (Operations of Laboratories)
  - Patient Care/Follow-up 
  - Setting-up of Laboratory
  - Capacity Building/Training Activities
  - Awareness and Advocacy
  - Information Management Systems
**Services Offered:**
^ Service Name: ^ Application for Membership to the National Comprehensive Newborn Screening System (NCNBSS) ^
| Clients: | Health Facilities (hospitals, health infirmaries, health centers, birthing homes, lying-in centers or puericulture centers with obstetrical and pediatric services, whether public or private) |
| Contact Information: | info@newbornscreening.ph |
| Description: | Health facilities aiming to offer newborn screening services should be enrolled with the NBS Program through this process. Upon enrollment, the health facility will be listed as a Newborn Screening Facility (NSF). |

^ Service Name: ^ DOH-NIH Certification for the National Comprehensive Newborn Screening System (NCNBSS) - Monthly ^
| Clients: | New Newborn Screening Facilities (NSFs) who sent newborn screening samples to the Newborn Screening Center (NSC) |
| Contact Information: | info@newbornscreening.ph |
| Description: | As a critical step in the enrolment of an NSF, the NSRC prepares and issues a certificate to be signed by the NIH Executive Director and the NCDPC Director of the Department of Health. Once done, it will be issued to NSFs through the NSCs. |