We are proud to announce the official release of the Newborn Hearing Screening Reference Center (NHSRC) 2024 Annual Report. This comprehensive document details a year of significant progress, landmark achievements, and insightful learnings in our nationwide effort to give every Filipino newborn the gift of hearing.
As we continue to uphold our mandate under Republic Act 9709, this report reflects the collective dedication of our staff, consultants, regional partners, and healthcare professionals across the archipelago. It offers a transparent look at our journey, celebrating our successes while honestly addressing the challenges that lie ahead.
This past year has been one of incredible momentum. Here are some of the key achievements detailed in the report:
Expanding Our Reach: A remarkable 637,067 babies were screened in 2024, a significant 21.57% increase from the previous year. This brings the total number of infants screened since 2014 to over 1.9 million!
Growing Network of Care: The number of accredited hearing screening centers grew to 1,217 nationwide, ensuring that more families have access to these vital services.
Empowering Our Professionals: We conducted 48 certifying courses for hearing screening personnel through a combination of online, face-to-face, and regional training sessions, continuously building the capacity of our healthcare frontliners.
Launching Groundbreaking Projects: 2024 saw the culmination of several key initiatives aimed at revolutionizing hearing intervention and care in the Philippines:
Hearing Loss Intervention Program (HALIP): Provided hearing devices and rehabilitative services to young children, showcasing the immense benefits of early intervention.
National Cochlear Implant Program (NCIP): Successfully provided cochlear implants and post-surgical care, paving the way for improved long-term solutions for profound hearing loss.
HeLe FARM (Hearing for Life Facility): Established a 3D printing facility to create affordable, custom hearing aid molds and anatomical models for training.
Kalinga Maternal Nutrition Mobile App: Developed and launched an innovative app to track maternal nutrition, directly supporting healthier newborn outcomes.
In her opening message, NHSRC Director Dr. Rosario R. Ricalde celebrated the completion of these major projects while acknowledging the path forward. She highlighted the first-ever strategic planning activity held in Cebu, which brought together national and regional stakeholders to chart the future.
“With additional personnel and more projects in 2025,” Dr. Ricalde shares, “the NHSRC is truly expanding and improving its services.”
The report also provides a candid look at ongoing challenges, particularly the need to improve the rate of data encoding into the national registry. This transparency is crucial for identifying gaps and developing targeted solutions.
Looking ahead, the NHSRC is excited to embark on five new projects born from our strategic planning session, focusing on quality control, data management, and public awareness.
We invite all our partners, stakeholders, and the public to dive into the full 2024 Annual Report. Your engagement and support are vital as we work towards a future where no child is left behind due to preventable hearing loss.
Download the report HERE
