​- The new law signed by the President of the Republic is a guarantee of health for the children of the country.

 Bogotá DC, August 14, 2019. Detecting early and timely alterations that affect the health and development of children from the moment of birth is the primary objective of Law 1980, 2019, signed on Wednesday by the President of the Republic, Iván Duke, to guarantee the health of newborns in the country.

The President said that this law marks a milestone in the country, because all situations of health and quality of life of newborns will be addressed in a timely manner. "Today we are taking great strides in favor of equity by making the Neonatal Screening Law public policy, which will be available to any child and any family," he said.

He also remarked that Colombia now stands at the forefront in Latin America, because it is a democratic measure.

"This law is a sign that the country can come together in transcendental issues such as the improvement of the health conditions of Colombian children, while issuing a coherent policy," said the president.

At the end of his remarks at the Gobelin tapestries room, in Casa de Nariño, he said that future illnesses will be prevented, which will favorably impact the Colombian health system. He reiterated that this is a law of equity, of sustainability and with future benefits for the entire Colombian family.

Also attending the signing of the Screening Law were the Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection, Iván Darío González, representatives of the Colombian Society of Pediatrics, scientists and the bill rapporteurs, Margarita Restrepo and Fabián Castillo.

Deputy Minister González highlighted the fact that the law is another effort made by this Government for Colombians to have better health services. "The law involves auditory, visual and congenital heart issues, and soon, thyroid issues will be added," he said.

He noted that this exercise implies making headway in resources, because it has the backing of the Ministry of Finance, and that, with the leadership of President Duque, Colombia enters the group of countries that are at the vanguard providing fiscal sustainability throughout implementation.

More than 600,000 children born every year in Colombia will benefit from this measure, including children who have attained Colombian nationality. "We are advancing in equity and this will allow early diagnoses on thyroid and heart malformations. The challenge will be the support to families. It is a good moment to recognize the work of geneticists, pediatricians and the Colombian Society of Pediatrics, working with Congress and with the National Government in that great leap that the country is taking today," said the Deputy Minister.

Seven Key Aspects of the Neonatal Screening Law

This Law is an improvement for the health and comprehensive development of Colombians:

1. It will be possible to detect diseases in a timely fashion and thus prevent the progression of illnesses that can lead to death, developmental impairment or disability.
2. Early detection of congenital heart disease will allow knowing which child is a candidate for surgery and will impact mortality due to this congenital defect.
3. Visual screening will enable identifying and treating children in a timely manner to prevent blindness.
4. Auditory screening will facilitate identifying and treating children with congenital deafness and this has a huge impact in terms of child development and disability prevention.
5. Strengthening the screening of congenital hypothyroidism will allow to detect and treat children with this pathology, who, if do not receive treatment, will have intellectual disability.
6. Neonatal screening is guaranteed to be fully articulated to the rest of a comprehensive health care spectrum and with financial sustainability.
7. The moment the law is regulated, all mothers will be able to request the practice of neonatal screening in their children, in accordance with the provisions of the law.