Expansion of heel prick test could save or improve the lives of 200 babies born each year in Ireland.

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MDI joined with other members of Rare Diseases Ireland outside the Dáil to launch a new Get Rare Aware campaign calling for the number of conditions newborn babies are screened for under the HSE National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme, more commonly known as the heel prick test, to be expanded from the current nine to the European average of 18 minimum. Support the campaign by contacting your Oireachtas representatives and ask them to demand that Ireland is above average when it comes to newborn screening. Find out more and take action here https://getrareaware.ie/take-action-areaD/.

Pictured Photo #1: Vicky McGrath, CEO, Rare Diseases Ireland with Gillian Dunne Minnock, NFA (Neurofibromatosis Association) Ireland, Aoife O’Donovan, NFA (Neurofibromatosis Association) Ireland, Fergal Griffin, general manager, NFA (Neurofibromatosis Association) Ireland, Steve Petherbridge, Dystonia Ireland, Fergus O'Dowd, TD, Maeve Healy, Muscular Dystrophy Ireland, Pádraig O’Sullivan, TD., Denise Dunne, Cystinosis Ireland.

Pictured Photo #2: Vicky McGrath, CEO, Rare Diseases Ireland and Maeve Healy, Muscular Dystrophy Ireland

Photography by Shane O'Neill, Coalesce.