A new facility for kids with Down syndrome is coming to the Philippines, set to be built at the Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center (BRHMC) in Legazpi City, Albay. The announcement comes just in time for National Down Syndrome Consciousness Month.
ALSO READ: Can Down Syndrome Be Detected in Newborn Screening?
The Country's First Down Syndrome Hub
According to NORFIL Foundation, Inc., leading the project, the Down Syndrome Hub "aims to break down barriers and provide essential services for children with Down syndrome through a state-of-the-art site, advanced medical equipment, and professional (para) medical staff."
The organization also announced that the groundbreaking will take place in March.
The initiative is a joint effort between NORFIL Foundation and BRHMC, with support from key figures like Dr. Eric Raymond N. Raborar, BRHMC's Medical Chief, and Dr. Mariegella Ciocson, Head of Pediatrics.
Engineers and architects from BRHMC, under the Department of Health (DOH), are also on board as part of the project's Technical Working Group.
Generous donors, including the Paul Foundation in the Netherlands and Liliane Fonds, have strongly supported the project from its inception.
Filipino Kids with Down Syndrome
In the Philippines, one in every 800 babies is born with Down syndrome, caused by an extra chromosome 21 due to an error in cell division.
The condition is characterized by intellectual and developmental delays, and individuals with Down syndrome can benefit greatly from early intervention, specialized healthcare, and educational support.
This first-of-its-kind project in Bicol will provide much-needed care and support to children with Down syndrome and their families in the region and may inspire the development of similar facilities in the future.
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