Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Intervention Act of 2009 is a comprehensive National Program that aims to ensure that every newborn in the Philippines undergoes a hearing examination before hospital discharge or by one month of age.

The Bicol Medical Center started the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (NBHS) Program in 2010 by the Ears, Neck, and Throat physicians, Dr. Diosdado C. Uy, Dr. Neil Aldrine Peñaflor, and Dr. Marifee Reyes. Despite the limited workforce and resources, the program became operational sporadically. Albeit the encountered difficulties for its full implementation, BMC supported the implementation of the NBHS program.

In 2017, the Department of Health (DOH) designated the Bicol Medical Center as the Newborn Hearing Screening Reference Center in the Bicol Region. The DOH-Center for Health Development (CHD) - Bicol released funds for the NBHS of BMC, which was used to hire additional human resources, conduct advocacy programs, improve NHS facility, and train the NHS personnel of BMC. This decision was instrumental in the leap of advancement in the delivery of services for the Bicol Region.

In 2018, the team was able to fill the gap for otoacoustic machines when CHD-Bicol provided 12 OAE machines to 12 recipients based on the Inter Local Health Zone.

The NHS team’s effort in 2019 progressed into attaining Category B facility, wherein all confirmatory tests such as ABR, ASSR, and PTA are readily available for referrals. The availability of the confirmatory machines and additional staff ensures continuous operation of the confirmatory and diagnostic procedures.

VISION

To be the premiere Reference Center for Newborn Hearing in Bicol.

MISSION

• To provide an accessible, effective, and efficient system of services in the region.
• To spearhead regional research in hearing loss for the improvement of healthcare delivery in the field of hearing.
• To conduct training, monitoring, and certification on Newborn Hearing Screening to ensure the NHSRC-NIH standard are followed.
• To become a Certified Category D NBHS Center.
   

STAFF

• MANAGER

  Uy, Diosdado C. MD, MClinAud

• COORDINATOR

  Reyes, Marifee U., MD, MDM

• RESIDENT PHYSICIANS

  Alvarez, Adrian MD
  Landagan, Samuel MD
  Lee-Sy, Matthew Tang MD
  Mercado, Joanna Marie MD
  Yambot, Kathleen Kay MD

• STAFF
  Nurse Coordinator

  Bas, Michelle L. RN

  NHS Advocacy Nurse

  Abayon, Roxanne Eurica V. RN

  Out-patient NHS Nurse

  Marcelino, Crystal Jane Vanessa C. RN

  NHS Nurse-Audiologist

  Rebulado, Abigail RN, MclinAud

  NHS Nursing Attendant

  Botona, Yoradyl J. RM, RN

  Administrative Assistant

  Layones, Jennifer J.

CONTACT US

CRYSTAL JANE VANESSA C. MARCELINO
BMC Old Building, beside HACT Office
(054) 472-6125 local 3121
(+63) 963-284-5507
(+63) 967-860-2589
nhsbmc@gmail.com

Last update: January 31, 2021