Ensure resources for prenatal and newborn screening for 9 congenital diseases and defects

60/63 provinces and cities have issued Plans and Programs.

According to the content of the official dispatch of the Ministry of Health , implementing Decision No. 1999/QD-TTg dated December 7, 2020 of the Prime Minister approving the Program to expand screening, diagnosis and treatment of some prenatal and neonatal diseases and disabilities by 2030, the Ministry of Health issued Official Dispatch No. 7375/BYT-TCDS dated December 31, 2020 on the implementation of the Program to expand screening, diagnosis and treatment of some prenatal and neonatal diseases and disabilities by 2030 to the People's Committees of provinces and centrally run cities.

To date, 60/63 provinces and cities have issued Plans and Programs to implement Decision No. 1999/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister approving the Program to expand screening, diagnosis and treatment of some prenatal and neonatal diseases and disabilities by 2030. After more than 2 years of implementation, according to reports from provinces and cities, the results of implementing solutions and goals are still low.

To ensure effective implementation of Decision No. 1999, the Ministry of Health requests the People's Committees of provinces and cities to direct the synchronous implementation of solutions to achieve the approved goals and expenditures of Decision 1999. Prioritize the direction and implementation of the following specific contents:

For the 3 provinces and cities that have not yet issued a plan to implement Decision 1999, it is necessary to direct the Department of Health to preside over and coordinate with relevant departments and branches to develop and submit to the Provincial and City People's Committees to issue a Plan to implement Decision No. 1999/QD-TTg of the locality according to the instructions in Official Dispatch No. 7375/BYT-TCDS dated December 31, 2020 of the Ministry of Health.

Direct and urge the implementation of the Program implementation plan to ensure the achievement of the following targets. In the immediate future, by 2025, it is necessary to focus on achieving the targets of the rate of pregnant women screened for at least 4 of the most common congenital diseases reaching 50%; The rate of newborns screened for at least 5 of the most common congenital diseases reaching 70%; The rate of communes, wards and towns with facilities providing prenatal screening services; newborn screening according to professional instructions reaching 70%; The rate of medical facilities at district level or higher with the capacity to provide prenatal screening services; newborn screening according to professional instructions reaching 70%.

Urge to promote the implementation of support for users of the basic service package (Decision No. 3845/QD-BYT dated August 11, 2021 of the Minister of Health promulgating the list of some congenital diseases and disabilities that are screened, diagnosed, and treated prenatally and neonatally under the basic service package).

9 congenital diseases and defects that need prenatal and newborn screening

The Ministry of Health informs that currently, the Ministry of Health continues to provide free chemicals, sample collection papers and consumables purchased from the Health - Population Target Program for the period 2016-2020 to perform testing for free subjects: Through 05 regional screening centers belonging to: Central Obstetrics Hospital, Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, Head of Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tu Du Hospital, Can Tho City Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital to perform newborn screening tests (2 diseases: G6PD enzyme deficiency and congenital hypothyroidism) for subjects in provinces and cities under their management.

Through Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, prenatal screening tests are performed for subjects in the Central provinces.

After using up the above quantity, it is recommended that the local budget ensure implementation.

For provinces and cities implementing prenatal and newborn screening using chemicals and materials purchased in the period of 2016-2020, coordinate with 05 regional screening centers to collect samples for newborn screening and prenatal screening according to the instructions of the Ministry of Health in Official Dispatch No. 146/BYT-TCDS dated January 10, 2022 on guiding subjects to use the free prenatal and newborn screening service package according to the provisions of Decision No. 1999/QD-TTg; Official Dispatch No. 5708/BYT-TCDS dated October 11, 2022 on the announcement of not collecting fees for the free prenatal and newborn screening service package according to the provisions of Decision No. 1999/QD-TTg.

To ensure that priority subjects specified in Decision 1999/QD-TTg are provided with free basic service packages, it is recommended that the People's Committees of provinces and cities ensure resources in terms of facilities and professional capacity for prenatal screening of 04 congenital diseases and defects (Edward syndrome, Down syndrome, Patau syndrome, Thalassemia) and newborn screening of 05 congenital diseases and defects (congenital hypothyroidism, G6PD deficiency, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, congenital deafness and congenital heart disease) in the basic service package.

The Ministry of Health requests that provinces and cities conduct statistics and compile a full list of subjects who have participated in prenatal and newborn screening according to the regulations of the Minister of Health. During the implementation process, if there are any difficulties or problems, localities are requested to send documents to the Ministry of Health for timely support and resolution./.

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