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.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common but complex illness that is frequently presented in the primary care setting. Managing this disorder in primary care can be difficult, and many patients are underdiagnosed and/or undertreated. The Malaysian Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) on the Management of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) (2nd ed.), published in 2019, covers screening, diagnosis, treatment and referral (which frequently pose a challenge in the primary care setting) while minimising variation in clinical practice.
Depression ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; Primary Health Care ; Therapeutics