Scaling Newborn Screening
NBS must be scaled globally, with an equity lens informing implementation. The inclusion of NBS in the development agenda and universal health coverage discourse is critical. Governments must invest in NBS technology along with accountability measures to ensure the best outcomes and promote equitable use of resources. In order to scale NBS, active dialogue surrounding available technology and its effectiveness is required. To facilitate this dialogue, data outcomes in resource-poor settings must inform an evidence-based approach, and remind policymakers of the benefits of NBS. This dialogue ultimately needs to culminate in an international agreement on the equitable implementation of NBS.
Screening for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) must always be the most urgent priority, as this is more common than CAH and contributes enormously to the burden of developmental delay globally. However, as has happened in all high-income countries, the expansion of NBS panels to include other NCDs such as CAH will soon follow screening for CH. As NBS Programs are progressively scaled, accountability measures must be in place to support continuous quality improvement initiatives that will drive the best outcomes and use of resources.
Screening for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) must always be the most urgent priority, as this is more common than CAH and contributes enormously to the burden of developmental delay globally. However, as has happened in all high-income countries, the expansion of NBS panels to include other NCDs such as CAH will soon follow screening for CH. As NBS Programs are progressively scaled, accountability measures must be in place to support continuous quality improvement initiatives that will drive the best outcomes and use of resources.
Read more about our newborn screening initiatives:
Indonesia at CSW67The first speaker, the Honourable Mr Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Minister for Health for Indonesia shared the bold vision for Indonesia to expand NBS across the Archipelago region, justified by the burden of disease arising from a lack of screening for conditions like CAH and the demonstrated positive outcomes associated with improved NBS. Following this, Professor Dr Aman Pulungan from the International Paediatric Association shared how NBS will reduce mortality... Read more
|