title: Present status and future concerns of expanded newborn screening in malaysia: sustainability, challenges and perspectives.
abstract: Newborn screening (NBS) program is an important tool for the early diagnosis and preventive treatment of life-long impairments. NBS is one of the strategies recommended by the World Health Organization to promote the primary prevention of congenital anomalies and the health of children with these conditions. However, NBS initiation and implementation in developing countries, especially South-East Asian and North African regions, are slow and challenging. Expanded NBS is not mandatory and has not yet been incorporated into the public healthcare system in our country. Limited funding, manpower shortages, inadequate support services, low public awareness, and uncertain commitment from healthcare practitioners are the main challenges in establishing this program at the national level. Involvement and support from policy makers are very important to the success of the program and the benefit of the entire population.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Advanced Analytical Toxicology Services, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Penang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Yin Hui
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Leong
authors.affiliation: Centre for Advanced Analytical Toxicology Services, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Penang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Chee Yuen
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Gan
authors.affiliation: Centre for Advanced Analytical Toxicology Services, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Penang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Mohd Adi Firdaus
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: Centre for Advanced Analytical Toxicology Services, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Penang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Mohamed Isa Abdul
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Majid
keywords: Malaysia; congenital disorders; inborn error of metabolism; newborn screening