BAGUIO CITY (PIA) – Persons with disabilities in Baguio City recently availed of specialized medical services in the Rare Diseases and Down Syndrome Medical Caravan conducted by the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), and the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC).
Doctors at the BGHMC specializing in different fields such as internal medicine, pediatric pulmonology, nephrology, and neurology, provided free consultations to PWDs in line with the observance of National Down Syndrome Consciousness Month and the National Rare Disease Week.
Dr. Virginia Narciso of the Department of Health-Cordillera said it is important to provide medical care that fits each patient’s needs.
“We understand that healthcare is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Every patient is unique, and every condition requires tailored expertise,” Narciso said.
Meanwhile, Geneticist Dr. Mary Erika Orteza talked about rare diseases and Down syndrome.
Down syndrome is a chromosomal condition that is associated with intellectual disability and physical abnormalities.
Screening test during pregnancy can detect chances of a baby with Down syndrome. A newborn screening done in the first 24 hours after birth is usually enough to identify Down syndrome in an infant, according to health authorities.
While access to treatment is improving, proper documentation remains a challenge in diagnosing certain conditions.
“Kapag ang bata ay na-diagnose na merong senyales patungo sa Down syndrome, nilalagay nila na diagnosed as Down syndrome. Pero nagkakaproblema po tayo kung ano pong type of disability ‘yung kondisyon na papuntang kapansanan….Kaya po sana, mangarap tayong sa pamamagitan ng City Health Office natin, dahan-dahan na magkaroon ng mga iba’t ibang espesyalista,” PDAO head Dr. Samuel Aquino commented.
Orteza informed that PhilHealth now includes rare diseases in its Z Benefits Package, which helps families get treatment for certain conditions.
“May sampu po tayong kondisyon na kasama sa Z Benefits Packages. ‘Yung anim sa kondisyon na ‘yun ay nade-detect sa newborn screening,” she said.
For PWDs to continue receiving medical and other benefits, Aquino reminded them to register or renew their PWD identification cards. (JDP/DEG/Trisha Reign Batoon-PIA CAR-SLU Intern)
