The Department of Health (DOH) has recognized the active role of the local government of Cainta, Rizal in improving the health of Filipino children through newborn screening, Mayor Elen Nieto said.

"Our very own Cainta Municipal Hospital was recently awarded a Level 1 Achiever Award by the DOH-Center for Health Development Calabarzon and by the Newborn Screening Center South Luzon," Nieto said.

"Congratulations to our Hospital professionals and staff, and to Dr. Jayson Sierra, good job!" she added.

Nieto also said that the local government has procured 2,000 newborn screening tests for the LGU-run hospital.

"Together with the recognition are 2,000 test kits for our newborn screening center at the Cainta Municipal Hospital," Nieto said.

"Through newborn screening, a newborn baby's condition, that can affect a its long-term health or survival, is detected, enabling our health care providers necessary interventions early on," the mayor added.

For his part, Cainta Municipal Administrator Keith Nieto underscored the importance of newborn screenings, as it helps in detecting serious and treatable disorders in newborns as early as possible.

"This test is important because it can detect early on if a baby has a disorder, and then treat them immediately so they grow up healthy," Nieto said.

"I just want all the babies that were born in our hospital will go through this screening to detect and treat early those diagnosed with disorders," the returning mayor added.

The local government has also allowed even those who weren't born in the municipal-run hospital to go through newborn screenings.

"I have also allowed Cainta residents who gave birth elsewhere to use it, but there were no screening tests because they cannot afford it or not available at their hospital. It is not yet readily available in the market. We even intentionally buy the test kits at select stores," Nieto said.